PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P. J. KEATING MP
RECOGNITION FOR WWII DEFENDERS OF DARWIN AND VETERANS OF
THE SYRIAN CAMPAIGN aQ.. 0/ i 01 Iqv()
I am pleased to announce that defenders of Darwin during the Japanese
bombing, and previously unrecognised Australian servicemen who took part
in the Syrian Campaign are to receive campaign awards.
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 11i, t is
fitting that these two groups of Australian veterans will at last receive their
due recognition and that Australia will thereby reclaim some of the history of
her involvement in World War 11.
Her Majesty The Queen has, at my request, approved the expansion of
conditions under which two campaign stars, the 1939-45 Star and the Africa
Star, are awarded. Eligible veterans should be able to receive their awards
by Anzac Day this year.
Expanding the conditions for the awards was one of the recommendations of
last year's Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence-related Awards
chaired by General Peter Gration AC OBE.
The Committee considered there were parallels between the intense air war
fought over Darwin and the Battle of Britain and Malta. Australian aircraft
were often outnumbered and expected to repel an enemy believed at the time
to be intent on invading Australia, and like Malta, Darwin was isolated,
difficult to supply and under prolonged attack.
Personnel who served in the Darwin area during the time of the Japanese
bombing ( 19 February 1942 12 November 1943) and who meet eligibility
requirements will receive the 1939-45 Star, a medal which they have been
seeking for 50 years.
It is fitting that approval to issue this medal has occurred so recently after
Australia remembered the 261 people who were killed in air raids on Darwin
which began on 19 February 1942. 13/ 95
2
The committee also recommended that all Australian servicemen who
participated in the Syrian Campaign ( 8 June 11 July 1941) and who did not
otherwise receive the Africa Star should now receive the medal.
Because of its brevity, the Syrian Campaign had been excluded as qualifying
service for the award. The Committee of Inquiry found that the intensity and
importance of the campaign more than compensated for its brevity, and the
Government has now taken steps to ensure that the Africa Star will be
awarded to the campaign's veterans.
CANBERRA 27 February, 1995
ATTACHMENT Persons who wish to lodge claims for either the 1939-45 Star or Africa Star
should contact the appropriate Service Records Office as follows:
Army Medals Section
Soldier Career Employment Management Agency
Central Army Records Office
GPO Box 393D
MELBOURNE VIC 3001 Tel: ( 03) 326 5633
Airforce Directorate
Administrative Review
Air Force Office
Department of Defence
PO Box E33
Queen Victoria Terrace
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Attention HA1 ( E-3-14) Tel: ( 06) 265 2388
Navy Director Naval Personal Services
Medals Section
Navy Office
Department of Defence
D-3-32A
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600Tel: ( 06) 265 3321
Merchant Mariners
Marine Crews
Maritime Safety Authority
PO Box 272
World Trade Centre
MELBOURNE VIC 3005Tel: ( 03) 685 5777
Fax: ( 03) 685 5700