FRANCE’S HIGHEST HONOUR FOR AUSTRALIAN D-DAY VETERANS

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale, today welcomed an announcement by the French Government that France’s highest military decoration, the Legion of Honour, would be presented to 10 Australian veterans in recognition of Australia’s contribution to D-Day operations during World War II.

Mrs Vale said the Australians to receive the Legion of Honour were:

The Minister said four of the veterans — William Robertson, Dacre Smyth, Charles Turner and Collin Wheatley — had been chosen to represent Australia’s veteran community at 60th anniversary commemorative ceremonies in France next month and would be presented with their medals during those ceremonies. Prime Minister John Howard will also attend, representing the Government and people of Australia.

“These four veterans represent all Australians who served in the Navy, Army and Air Force during D-Day.

“More than 2500 Australians took part in missions in the air, at sea and on land in the lead-up to and during the massive Allied operation to liberate occupied France on 6 June 1944.

“Serving on secondment to Allied forces or in Australian units, Australian personnel, took part in deception operations before the invasion, provided air and sea support or themselves took part in the landings and in operations in the days following as the Allies drove back the German forces,” Mrs Vale said.

Mrs Vale said the Legion of Honour would be bestowed on a small number of representative veterans from each of the Allied nations of World War II, in recognition of their contribution to D-Day operations and the liberation of France.

Mrs Vale said arrangements were being made for the remaining six veterans to be presented with the Legion of Honour by the French Ambassador during ceremonies in Australia.