[BITList] The Battle of the Atlantic - AUSTRALIAN VETERANS JOIN PRINCESS ANNE IN REMEMBERING THE LONGEST WWII MILITARY CAMPAIGN

[John Feltham]

G'day,

Today - The ABC lunch time TV News showed a video long report on the Remembrance Ceremonies in Liverpool.

ooroo



Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List
 
Sunday, 26 May 2013                                                                                                                       
 
VA044
 
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS JOIN PRINCESS ANNE IN REMEMBERING THE LONGEST WWII MILITARY CAMPAIGN
 
Eight Australian Second World War veterans gathered with the Princess Royal in Liverpool, England, today to remember the some 65,000 Allied and merchant seaman lost and some 6,000 Royal Air Force aircrew killed in the Battle of the Atlantic.
 
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said the veterans met with Allied comrades to pay tribute to the men who served on the sea and in the air in what was the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War.
 
“The Battle of the Atlantic spanned the full six years of the War. It played a critical role in the Allied victory, securing supply routes in the Atlantic Ocean. These routes were vital in allowing the Allies to accelerate the build up of air forces, the transportation of troops, food, medicine and equipment for the invasion of continental Europe in 1944.
 
“Today is a chance to reflect on the sacrifice of all involved 70 years ago, particularly the brave Australians serving on the sea and in the air, and to remember those who never made it home,”


Mr Snowdon said.
 
The veterans are aged between 86 and 95 and come from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria.
 
“It was an emotional day for a group of men whose actions may not be so well known in Australia, but form an integral part of our military history.  We had men serve in the Battle as part of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Navy (RN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Merchant Navies of several Allied countries.”
 
The veterans attended a service at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool before joining in a march through the city alongside other veterans of the Battle, including Naval, Air Force and Merchant Navy personnel, and cadets. Aircraft from the Royal Navy Historic Flight conducted a fly past during the parade.

“I am glad they could be there today to see the gratitude people have for their actions. I’m sure Australians are as proud of our veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic, as all those people lining the streets in the UK,” Mr Snowdon said.
 
While in the United Kingdom the veterans will attend Australian-led services including wreath-laying ceremonies at Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth and the Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park, London.
 
Editor’s note: Follow the veterans on Facebook at DVA Aus, Twitter at @dvaaus and Flickr at DVA Aus. Veteran biographies, images, historical background and other resources are available at www.dva.gov.au/media. For interviews with veteran representatives contact felicity.mcdonald at dva.gov.au or +61 (0)419 120 908. Note the UK is 9 hours behind AEST.
 
Media inquiries:      Minister Snowdon: Marcus Butler 02 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796
                                    Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: +61 (0)419 120 908
 

Veteran representatives attending UK commemorations
 
Name
Location
Current Age
Unit/Service
Mr Arthur Alfred Anderson
Dalkeith, WA
90
10 Squadron RAAF
Mr Douglas Gilling RANVR
Leura, NSW
92
HMS Berkley, RN
Mr Donald Edward Kennedy J.P
Forestville, NSW
86
MT Seierstad, Merchant Navy
Mr Thomas John Kirkham
Tweed Heads, NSW
87
HMT Orcades, Merchant Navy
Mr Dudley Marrows DSO DFC
Mildura, VIC
95
461 Squadron RAAF
Mr Peter Munro
Belhus, WA
88
10 Squadron RAAF
Mr Philip Adrian Orchard
Lurnea, NSW
91
MV Ettrick Bank, Merchant Navy
Mr Thomas Sheridan
Carina, QLD
91
10 Squadron RAAF
 
==============================================================================

I enclose a copy of a poem written by David Partridge of Sydney Australia. David is a retired Merchant Navy man.

"Heroes" written in October 2002.



Lest We Forget








 
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