Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Plan to give war memorial horse a voice

Murray Alexander of the National Boer War Memorial Association on North Tce. Picture: Roger Wyman Source: adelaidenow

THE horse in the Boer War memorial on North Tce would appear to "talk" to passers-by under plans for an audio system.

The system would tell stories of the first war in which South Australians fought.

The state branch of the National Boer War Memorial Association wants to install the audio system in a bollard next to the equestrian memorial, which stands at the King William St intersection outside Government House.

The association's Murray Alexander, who spent 35 years in the Army Reserves, said people would press buttons to choose from four narratives.

One would start with the horse introducing itself and its rider, whose head is thought to have been modelled on Boer War veteran George Henry Goodall, who would then talk about the role horses played in the war.

Mr Alexander said the horse character might neigh and snort to grab the attention of children and say something like: "I'm Thunder, my sire was Lightning, because you can't get thunder without lightning can you?"

"The horse telling a little bit of its story would interest a lot of people," Mr Alexander said.

Battle stories and accounts of conditions faced by soldiers in South Africa would be among the other narratives, which Mr Alexander hoped would be voiced by the likes of Governor Kevin Scarce, former Governor Sir Eric Neal and RSL state president Tim Hanna.

Mr Alexander last week fronted city councillors to ask them to consider funding the $47,000 audio system, ideally to be installed in time for Boer War Day on May 26, or at least in time for a reunion of descendants of veterans in September.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said he liked the idea of "interactive" memorials, but it was likely consideration of funding for the project would have to wait until the 2013/14 budget process.

Unveiled in 1904, the Boer War Memorial is dedicated to the South Australians who served in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902.

More than 1500 South Australians and as many horses went to South Africa to help the British Empire defeat the Dutch settlers. At least 59 of the men perished.

It is estimated that 60 per cent of all the horses involved in the Boer War died in combat or from mistreatment.

The association is calling for descendants of veterans to register on its website, www.bwm.org.au, ahead of Boer War Day celebrations.

For more news on the city, pick up a copy of the City Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here

Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

View the original article here