WWII – Page 5 – CONTACT magazine

Lieutenant Aaron McCready with his sister, Flying Officer Nadine Muller, and their nephew, Madden Muller (wearing his great-grandfather Corporal Mervyn McCready's medals). Story by Captain Catherine Batch. Photo by Callum Smith.

Legacy beneficiary gives back

21/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1780 Views 0 Comments Legacy, WWII

In the aftermath of a long and devastating World War 2 campaign, the scars left on soldiers like Lieutenant Aaron

Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Angus Houston, Ron Houghton, President of the Bomber Command Association of Australia, Bert Adams, Max Barry and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.

ADF People History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Australian Bomber Command aviators remembered

14/06/202318/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3132 Views 0 Comments AWM, Bomber Command, WWII

The service and sacrifice of RAAF personnel who served in Royal Air Force Bomber Command in WWII – as part

Director Recruiting – Army Colonel Kimberlea Juchniewicz congratulates veteran Signaller Norma Eggleston as she celebrated her 99th birthday at the Woden RSL club sub-branch, Canberra. Story by Major Anne-Maree Hunt. Photo by Lieutenant Colonel David Hankin.

ADF People History Veterans

99 signals big milestone

14/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2087 Views 0 Comments WWII

At 99, veteran Norma Eggleston is one of Australia’s oldest living female signallers. CAPTION: Director Recruiting – Army Colonel Kimberlea

Rear Admiral (retd) Guy Griffiths, right, presents the Royal Navy ensign to Commanding Officer HMS Prince of Wales Captain Richard Hewitt. Story by Lieutenant Charlie Marshall.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy UK Veterans

London service honours historic links

09/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3795 Views 1 Comment WWII

In a remarkable service in London, an Australian WW2 veteran presented a Royal Navy ensign to the captain of Britain’s

Senior Australian Defence Force Officer Amberley, Group Captain Dennis Tan, escorts Ms Jean Jackson around the Amberley History and Heritage Centre at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photo by Sergeant Peter Borys.

ADF People History Veterans

At 99, veteran presses rewind

08/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1726 Views 0 Comments RAAF Amberley, WWII

One of Ipswich’s oldest war veterans, 99-year-old Jean Jackson, recently returned to RAAF Base Amberley for the first time in

Able Seaman Musician Phillip Eden sounds the Last Post during a memorial service to mark the 81st anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul at Garden Island, New South Wales. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial service marks Sydney sub attack

08/06/202308/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1922 Views 0 Comments Heritage Centre, HMAS Kuttabul, Submarine, WWII

On the evening of May 31, 1942, a distant war was delivered to Sydney’s doorstep. CAPTION: Able Seaman Musician Phillip

Local indigenous cultural performers conduct a smoking ceremony during the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration at Hyde Park, Sydney. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Veterans

Memorial honours Indigenous service

02/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2462 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Reconciliation Week, WWII

In 1941, a German spy, disguised as an Australian, sent soldiers from the 2nd and 15th Battalion into a German

Warrant Officer Class One Benn Goulter, left, and Brigadier Greg Novak, right, with veteran Signalman James ‘Jim’ Easton at the St Heliers Grace Joel Retirement Village, New Zealand. Story by Captain Evita Ryan. Photo by Maryvonne Gray.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Veterans

Signalman a living legacy at age 106

02/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2482 Views 0 Comments WWII

At 106 years of age, veteran Signalman James ‘Jim’ Easton is thought to be Australia’s oldest living signaller. CAPTION: Warrant

Alf Najar in his MG TB Monoposto number nine lines up for a start in the 1948 Australian Grand Prix. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power. Photo by Stanton Najar, sourced from Speedway and Road Race History website.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Remembering the 1948 Australian Grand Prix

05/04/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2938 Views 1 Comment No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

The excitement of a Formula 1 Grand Prix will never change – the roar of engines flashing past at mind-blowing

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, join Darwin morning radio host Dan Hilliard, raising funds and awareness for Soldier On in Darwin. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Major Dan Mazurek.

Australian Army History News

Radio host soldiers on for charity

29/03/202329/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1686 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Soldier On, WWII

Darwin’s Mix 104.9FM radio host Dan Hilliard recruited soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), to join him

An Australian Army soldier from Sarpeye Company, 51FNQR in traditional Torres Strait Islander clothing for the 80th anniversary ceremony. Story by Captain Jon Stewart. All photos by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army History News Videos

Army marks anniversary of unique Indigenous unit

22/03/202324/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2938 Views 2 Comments 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solders, Chief of Army, Indigenous soldiers, WWII

One of two surviving veterans of Australia’s only all-Indigenous military unit joined the Torres Strait Islands community and Australian Army members

HMAS Perth III crew gathered on the flight deck to commemorate the losses of Perth I and USS Houston in 1942. Story by Lieutenant Commander Matthew Paes. Photo courtesy HMAS Perth III.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth III remembers Perth I in Sunda Strait

15/03/202318/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2662 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, WWII

Sailing through the Sunda Strait between border protection operations, the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth III paid homage to sailors from HMAS

Duncan and Hudson Mennitz present the ensign from HMAS Arunta I to Commanding Officer HMAS Arunta II Commander Jason McBain. Story and photo by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan.

History News Royal Australian Navy

A piece of history returned to rightful home

10/03/202312/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2614 Views 1 Comment HMAS Arunta, White Ensign, WWII

HMAS Arunta II received an unusual gift when the HMAS Arunta I’s white ensign was presented to the ship while

Soldiers from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire historical M2A2 105mm howitzers as part of a re-enactment during the bombing of Darwin commemorative service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Remembering the day WW2 hit Darwin

22/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2811 Views 0 Comments 8th/12th Regiment, Darwin NT, F-35A Lightning II, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Maryborough, No. 75 Squadron, WWII

ADF personnel commemorated the 81st anniversary of the first bombing of Darwin at a service hosted by the city on

Flying Officer (retd) John 'Blue' Bailey, left, and Commanding Officer of 25 Squadron Wing Commander Paul Taylor pose in a world war jeep replica at RAAF Pearce. Story by Peta Magorian. Photo by Squadron Leader Roger Buddrige.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Back to base for centenarian

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2321 Views 1 Comment RAAF Pearce, WWII

Flying Officer (retd) John ‘Blue’ Bailey, a former 25 Squadron pilot, celebrated his 100th birthday with a special visit to

Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Billy Winkler-Sheean holds a portrait of Teddy Sheean VC with Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling Captain Gary Lawton after his promotion ceremony. Story by Warrant Officer Bill Mansfield. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Yuri Ramsey.

ADF People History

Sailor inspired by hero relative

21/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1638 Views 0 Comments Fleet Support Unit – West (FSU-W), HMAS Stirling, Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, Victoria Cross, WWII

After being inspired to join the Navy by a very well-known relative, Seaman Boatswains Mate Billy Winkler-Sheean was promoted to

Australian Army soldier Corporal Jake Bostock talks with Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

ADF People History

Corporal continues family’s Gallipoli legacy

16/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2774 Views 0 Comments Gallipoli Barracks, WWI, WWII

The Australian Defence Force has a rich history of family legacies being carried on through the generations. CAPTION: Australian Army

32 Squadron and Squadron Leader (retd) Ted McConchie with a 100 Squadron Lockheed Hudson aircraft and 32 Squadron B350 King Air aircraft. Story by Flying Officer Ellis Mitchell. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

32 Squadron celebrates 80 years

07/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2458 Views 0 Comments B-350 King Air, No. 100 Squadron, No. 32 Squadron, RAAF East Sale, WWII

32 Squadron celebrated its 80th anniversary in November at RAAF Base East Sale with unit members, families, local community members

A member from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force participates in a combined activity with members of the other forces at the live-fire range in Sydney before embarking on Exercise Kokoda Wantok. Story by Major Dan Mazurek. Photo by Corporal Sagi Biderman.

Australian Army History News

Kokoda trek a sober reminder

23/10/202228/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2254 Views 1 Comment Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Don’t be fooled by the breathtaking jungle beauty. The famed 100km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is no

Jessie Strike-McClelland and Flight Lieutenant Justin Kelly with her 100th Birthday gift from the Australian Embassy at San Clemente Villas by the Sea, California. Story by Leading Aircraftwoman Cath Kelly.

ADF People History Veterans

Dedicated servicewoman celebrates centenary

19/10/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1715 Views 0 Comments WWII

World War 2 Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) veteran, Jessie Strike-McClelland, celebrated her 100th birthday on September 23. CAPTION: