Former Minister for Veterans' Affairs
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| Monday, 3 November 2003 | VA108 |
AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN VETERANS BOUND FOR LONDON
A group of 27 Australian veterans and war widows will leave today for London to attend the dedication of the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner on Remembrance Day.
The mission party, led by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, was formally farewelled by the Governor-General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, at Government House in Canberra.
Mrs Vale said the Australian War Memorial in London was a tribute to those Australians who served in the two world wars, and especially the 101,000 who lost their lives.
"The mission party members have been selected from across Australia and represent the many navy, army and air force servicemen and women, nurses and merchant seamen who served during World War II, as well as the widows of those who served," Mrs Vale said
Organised as part of the Australian Government's Saluting Their Service commemorations program, the mission will visit significant wartime sites in Britain, including the Naval Memorial to the Missing at Portsmouth and the Air Force Memorial at Runnymede.
"This mission will remind Australians and Britons of the courage and dedication of those who served in the two world wars, the great price paid for the freedoms we enjoy today and the deep friendship that continues between our two nations," the Minister said.
"Through commemorative missions such as this the Australian Government aims to help Australians - particularly our younger generations - to better understand and appreciate the importance of our wartime history, and the experiences of those who served.
"For the veterans and war widows in the mission party, this is also an opportunity to pay their own personal tribute to old comrades, lost mates and family members."
The Minister said the memorial would be dedicated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister John Howard in the presence of the British Prime Minister, Australian Opposition Leader, and senior Australian Defence Force representatives on Remembrance Day, marking the 85th anniversary of the end of World War I.
"We will be proud to stand at the new Australian War Memorial in London on Remembrance Day, on behalf of the veteran community and our fellow Australians."
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (Minister Vale's office) 0417 265 289
Editors Note: List of veteran representatives follows
2003 COMMEMORATIVE MISSION TO LONDON
Veteran Representatives
Name |
Service | State |
| Alan Birchley | Navy | Qld |
| Carmel Bland | Navy (Widow) | SA |
| Kenneth Briggs | Navy | Qld |
| Keith Campbell | RAAF | NSW |
| Herbert Copeman | RAAF | Tas |
| Robert Cowper | RAAF | SA |
| Nemo Dorph | Army | NSW |
| Jack Doyle | RAAF | Qld |
| Edith Eadie | Army | SA |
| Joyce Edgerley | RAAF (Widow) | ACT |
| Allan Ferrari | Navy | Vic |
| Ronald Frasa | Navy | Qld |
| Ernest Frost | RAAF | SA |
| Clarence Gardner | RAAF | Vic |
| John Gow | Army | Vic |
| Francis Hall | Army | Vic |
| David Hopkins | Navy |
NSW |
| Douglas Kemp | RAAF | SA |
| Alexander Kerr | RAAF | WA |
| Rollo Kingsford-Smith | RAAF | NSW |
| Ronald Matthews | Army | SA |
| Geoffrey Michael | RAAF | NSW |
| Frank Milner | Navy | Vic |
| Clarence Singe | RAAF | WA |
| Ian Speirs | RAAF | Vic |
| Ronald Ware | Merchant Navy | NSW |
| James Watt | Army | Qld |
| Donald Wilson | Navy | NSW |
Invited Guests
| Major General Bill Crews National President, Returned & Services League of Australia |
| Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths National President, Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council |
Media contact (for veterans interviews):
Cindy West (Department of Veterans' Affairs) (02) 6289 6203 or 0413 994 704
Karen Jones (Department of Veterans' Affairs) (02) 6289 6578 or 0411 107 261
Editors Note: An artist's impression of the Australian War Memorial, London, is available at www.dva.gov.au/media/media_images/images.htm
