Tiger-pie

MM to Sergeant G.R. Downer awarded for bravery at Lone Pine. Downer was at the landing, and was later killed in France in one of the first actions Australian forces were involved in.

In the well kept grounds around the AWM are plaques from veterans associations. There are also many statues and a pine tree grown from seeds taken from a cone that was bought back from Lone Pine, Gallipoli. I took a picture of this plaque as one of my uncles served in the 2/12th Battalion in Greece and Crete.

Marble memorial outside the main entrance.

You can just make some out on the edges of the roadways if you squint...

Looking back down Anzac Parade. On both sides there are memorials to the various conflicts that Australians have been involved with.

Hi, I have recently moved from Canberra to Sydney. While I was in Canberra I spent many an enjoyable day at the AWM. They have many fine displays and there is nearly always a new short-term display to check out. Here are some phots, enjoy. Please feel free to add comments. Regards; Johnsy www.awm.gov.au This is the front entrance to the AWM, the dome is actually in the background even though it appears as if it is in the foreground. It is below this dome that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lays.

Many years ago while I was serving on HMAS Parramatta (a DE), we went alongside in Subic Bay when it was still kicking. I couldn't believe how much stuff they had. A medic gave us a tour over one of their helo carriers, and half the crew and Marine detatchment was on standby, Marines were in full kit on the helo deck fully booted and spurred, one day on, one day off, same same for the crew. Passed Enterprise on the way in and it was HUGE, that was the first carrier I had seen up close. A couple of years later I was doing a RIMPAC and we stopped off in San Diego, and yes, I was blown away by dock atfer dock of FFG's. There was a Canadian Leander class ship, and I was absoulutely hammered after a big piss run ashore and got DE flashbacks thinking it was my old ship, the gangway staff politely turned me round and pointed me in the right direction back to HMAS Hobart. Regards; Johnsy

Paul, Considering that Australia has had at least one ship on station continuously in the Gulf since the first clash in 1991, I am surprised that I have missed being on deployment there. Can't say I would be champing at the bit to go for reasons various. I would rather be sitting off the coast of Pakistan doing, if nothing else, supporting our blokes and all others involved in whatever way the navy can. Anyway, I will have a hunt around and see if I can find any images of the wound medal incorporated in a medal bar, after the clash between Iran and Iraq that went for 10 years or so, there must have been a few getting around. Regards; Johnsy

The yarn. IN FEROCIOUS fighting, Commando Sergeant A, under direct fire from insurgents, led a rescue mission to save Canadian soldiers as they came under siege in southern Afghanistan. He did it with "absolute disregard for his own safety". Corporal B helped clear a hostile area of militia to enable another coalition unit to evacuate, killing several insurgents in the process. He did this despite being wounded in the foot by a fragment from a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades. Sergeant A was awarded the Star of Gallantry, the first soldier to receive the medal, which was introduced in 1991 and ranks behind only the Victoria Cross in Australian military honours. Corporal B was awarded the Medal for Gallantry. The two commandos, both with the Sydney-based Fourth Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), served for 12 months with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan. They were presented with their medals by the Governor-General, Major-General Michael Jeffery, at a ceremony at Holsworthy Barracks yesterday. They cannot be named for security reasons. Sergeant A led a special forces unit in a four-hour siege in Oruzgan province, coming under intense fire from local militia as they fought to evacuate the cornered Canadians, who had suffered one fatality. The Australians were surrounded by militia for more than an hour, during which every member of the outnumbered unit was shooting at the enemy as close as 50 metres away. Sergeant A had rocket-propelled grenades land metres away from him, and took a bullet in his headrest while others landed between his legs and his vehicle was peppered with fire. "We had to fight our way out to survive," he said. He had a simple explanation for his survival. "I'm a better shot," he said. After securing the evacuation of the Canadians by air, Sergeant A again led his troops "with distinction and courage" as their vehicles encountered several ambushes on their return to base. Corporal B was one of six Australian soldiers injured when they came under fire, also in the hostile Oruzgan province. Despite grenade injuries to his hand, leg and foot, Corporal B fought on and cleared the area of militia to enable another coalition unit to evacuate. "Adrenaline took over," said Corporal B, who admitted he feared for his life. It was only after the engagement was completed that he told his commander about his wounds. The Prime Minister, John Howard, who was at the awards ceremony, said he did not think comments by the former SAS officer Peter Tinley in The Australian, that Australia's involvement in Iraq was a strategic and moral blunder, were justified. "The only comment I would make is that there is a division of opinion in the Australian community about Iraq and you would expect that division of opinion to be reflected through the whole community," Mr Howard said. Regards; Johnsy

More phots.

Two Australia servicemen from the Special Forces Task Group received Honours on the 26th of November 2006. Recently returned soldiers from an operational tour of duty in Afghanistan were officially welcomed home by His Excellency Major General M Jeffrey, AC, CVO, MC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Prime Minister the Honorable John Howard, MP. Australian Special Forces were involved in almost daily contacts and some of the most ferocious fighting since the Vietnam war during their 12 month deployment to Afghanistan. The Governor-General presented the Star of Gallantry and the Medal for Gallantry to two of the Australian soldiers in recognition of their conspicuous acts of gallantry and leadership whilst in combat. The GG isn't too shabby in the gong department either !! This is the first Star of Gallantry to be awarded. Regards; Johnsy

All those troops and assets would have made a huge difference in Afganistan, never divide your forces... Regards; Johnsy

G'da Paul; Nice bring-backs mate, glad to see your not greedy and at least left something for me to pick up (if I ever get over there that is). That medal in the center is certainly impressive looking. BTW, is that a Crossing the Line certificate I can see on the left hand side middle of the photo? Regards; Johnsy

Dental gold is different to ingot gold for starters, it is a softer grade of gold to make it easier to work. Still worth money, but not as much as high carat bullion. Regards; Johnsy

I have a mixed bag to add, some old some new used in the Aussie navy: Redders: tomato sauce Going around the bouy: to have seconds at meal time Duff: dessert Dhurry: cigarette Lashed (up): to be chosen for a onerous task Skidded: as above Tiddly: neat and tidy, squared away Fang bosun: dentist Scab-lifter: medic Uckers: navy version of Ludo, bits usually being made of .50Cal shells Dit: film/movie or story, as in "Spin me a dit" Warrie: tall story, usually told on the piss. Bit rushed at the moment, will add more when I think of them. Regards; Johnsy