By
CPL Damian Shovell
ON THE eve of Remembrance Day, 27 Australian veterans and war
widows paid tribute at Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, England,
to the Australian and Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives
during World War II and have no known grave.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Danna Vale said that the commemorative
service at the memorial also honoured those who served in the
Australian Flying Corps during World War I.
“This memorial features 20,401 names. These include 1396
who served with the Royal Australian Air Force and many more Australians
who served with the Royal Air Force,” Mrs Vale said.
“They served in the RAF Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport,
Flying Training and Maintenance Commands.
“I am proud to be here with the mission party, which includes
12 RAAF veterans who served as pilots and ground crew during World
War II.”
The following day the veterans attended the dedication by Queen
Elizabeth II of the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park.
This marked the 85th anniversary of the end of WWI, and stands
as a permanent memorial to the 101,000 Australians killed during
both World Wars.
