Caption: Australian War Veteran Les Cook attended the commemorative service.
Today we call to mind all who stood with us.’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to Australians who served during the Second World War at a commemoration marking the 75th anniversary of the declaration of peace in the Pacific.
‘A country of seven million Australians united in a mighty national effort to defend human civilisation from the bullies who sought to destroy it,’ Prime Minister Morrison said before a small audience of Second World War veterans and other guests at the Australian War Memorial on Saturday.
Prime Minister Morrison recounted the stories of the veterans in attendance.
Derek Holyoake was a Lead Electrical Mechanic in the Royal Australian Navy. He was aboard the HMAS Hobart when a torpedo hit it, and was involved in the operation to relieve the Australian troops at Tobruk. Prime Minister Morrison noted that like so many of that generation, ‘Derek was 16 when he joined the Navy. He pretended to be 17.’
Lance Cooke’s service took him to Borneo. As a Leading Aircraftman, Lance was responsible for the maintenance of the No.93 Beaufort Squadron. He worked around the clock to keep the planes in the air and our pilots safe.
As an Army Corporal, Leslie Cook served in the Middle East, New Guinea, Borneo and Japan. He struggled over the Kokoda Trail and was present at the capture of Lae.
The Prime Minister also mentioned veteran Terri Lessels, who was watching the ceremony from home.Terri cared for men in traction and repatriated prisoners of war, and also tended to burns victims. One young airman with horrific facial wounds was John Gorton, future Prime Minister of Australia.
Their stories are just a small cross section of Australia’s contribution to the war. Australians served in all theatres, from Europe, Africa, the Pacific and the home front. Almost 40,000 Australians were killed in the Second World War.
Their efforts, and the efforts of nearly a million other Australians, helped create the world we live in today.
Prime Minister Morrison also remembered the many nations that Australia fought alongside to defeat militarism and fascism, and reflected on peace and forgiveness, noting the warm relationship between Japan and Australia today.
‘From the ruins of war, sworn enemies became our devoted friends.’
Prime Minister Morrison closed with a heartfelt thanks to our veterans. He pledged we would strive “to always be a country as good and as courageous as you.”
Lest we forget.
E&OE