Pinning future on past losses

Volume 48, No. 8, May 18, 2006

Emotional moment: FLTLT Kay Ellis receives the inaugural Bereaved Family commemorative lapel pin from CAF AIRMSHL Shepherd.

Photo by AB Neil Richards

FAMILY members of deceased Air Force personnel who have died in service will shortly have a tangible acknowledgement of their service, thanks to a new Air Force initiative.

Chief of Air Force AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd launched the Air Force’s Bereaved Family commemorative lapel pin on May 9.

AIRMSHL Shepherd said the pins were to recognise “the contribution and value to service of Air Force family members who have died in service”.

“The pins are intended to provide bereaved family members with a memento that they can proudly wear or keep, in remembrance of how much the member’s contribution meant to the Air Force,” he said.

During the launch, AIRMSHL Shepherd presented the inaugural pin to FLTLT Kay Ellis, whose husband, FLTLT Tim Ellis died in an Air Force Boeing 707 crash near RAAF Base East Sale in October 1991.

FLTLT Ellis was chosen as the inaugural recipient because of her tireless efforts to assist Air Force in the way in which family members are supported following an in-Service death.

Kay took on the emotional task of compiling a report on how the Air Force could better look after bereaved families after a death in service.

She produced a booklet to assist in dealing with bereaved families. The booklet, “A Guide for RAAF Commanders - Looking after Families Following a Service Death”, has been so well received that she is now working on a tri-Service version.

“It means a great deal to me to be a part of the Air Force family,” she said. “I know Tim would be very pleased, too, to see that his death hasn’t been in vain and that he is being remembered through this pin.”

The distinctive 20mm gold plated pin has raised crossed wattle sprigs atop the RAAF Eagle and the words “Air Force” underneath. It is available to any family member who has suffered an in-Service death.

WGCDR Robyne Green, the Air Force Bereaved Families Liaison Officer at Air Force Headquarters, said that the idea for a memento had been under consideration for sometime.

“CAF AIRMSHL Shepherd is very keen to give families something that they can wear and which shows that Air Force consider that the Bereaved Family members remain a very important part of the broader Air Force family,” she said.

For availability and enquiries contact WGCDR Robyne Green, on (02) 6266 7865. Fax: (02) 6265 1284 or e-mail robyne.green@defence.gov.au.”

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