General News
21 August, 2020
Soldiers honoured during World War II and Vietnam Veterans' Day services
WHILE COVID-19 restrictions prevented the community from joining together on Saturday, August 15 for the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 in the Pacific, the Camperdown Returned Services League (RSL) still found a way to pay their respects.
WHILE COVID-19 restrictions prevented the community from joining together on Saturday, August 15 for the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 in the Pacific, the Camperdown Returned Services League (RSL) still found a way to pay their respects.
Camperdown RSL president Alan Fleming held a service at the Soldier’s Memorial on Saturday.
He said while the event was not advertised in order to maintain social distancing requirements, the service was available to watch on YouTube on the Camperdown RSL channel.
Mr Fleming said a special moment before the service occurred when Grace Eagles laid a wreath of rosemary in memory of her husband Reg.
He said the federal government had announced a commemorative medallion to be presented to all living service men and women who served in WW2.
And RSL Vic would also issue a certificate of gratitude to be presented to all those who served in WW2.
“Under normal circumstances, I would have presented this certificate to Bert Atwell who served in 9 AUST Workshop in New Guinea,” Mr Fleming said.
“Bert is a resident at Sunnyside House and visitors are not permitted so the presentation was doneby staff.
“Should anyone know a WW2 veteran please contact me and I will assist in obtaining both a certificate and medallion for them.”
Mr Fleming said there was no Roll of Honour for those who served from within the shire in WW2.
“Many district halls and schools had boards and I wonder how many have survived to assist us in research,” he said.
“In November 1953 in the Camperdown Chronicle it was reported Camperdown RSL had 253 members.
“There is so much history in the club (established in 1918) however as many of our members are retirees, new members are needed to carry on all aspects of the club including social activities and the ongoing welfare of veterans and their families within our district extending from Camperdown to Cobden, Timboon, Port Campbell and Peterborough.”
Tuesday also was Vietnam Veterans’ Day (formerly known as Long Tan Day) and a service was recorded at the RSL hall and added to the Camperdown RSL YouTube Channel.
Mr Fleming said this would be the first time a service on Vietnam Veterans’ Day was held in Camperdown as generally veterans would travel to the Melbourne Shrine for the event, or travel to Warrnambool where an evening service would be held.
