Lest we forget

The medals I am wearing are from my father who fought in New Guinea for 5 years in WW11 and my grandfather who fought in France in WW1. Additionally, nine of my uncles and one aunty also served for Australia.

One uncle was sadly in The Sandakan Death Marches where 2,434 prisoners of war (POW) lost their lives as they were forced to walk about 200kms with virtually no food or water.

My grandmother never knew what happened to her eldest son until after the war, but she kept the front door unlocked her whole life, hoping that he would return. The truth about Sandakan has been kept a secret but it is now considered to be the worst atrocity suffered by Australians during WW11.

Wearing the medals makes it real for the students and they are often inspired to ask lots of questions as many don’t know anyone connected to a returned service person.

I wear my medals with pride, and to remember them. Lest We Forget