RSL Wanneroo

Today, on Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Day, Women Veterans Network Australia honours the service and sacrifice of all Australian Defence Force personnel who served in the Middle East Area of Operations from 11 July 2001 to 11 July 2021.

Over these 20 years, more than 39,000 Australians served across Afghanistan, Iraq and the broader Middle East region. We remember the 54 Australians who lost their lives on operations in service to our nation.
We also pause to remember those who have since lost their lives after returning home, and acknowledge the families, friends and mates who continue to carry their memory.

We recognise the many veterans living with the physical, psychological and moral impacts of their service, and the families who have stood beside them throughout their journey.

Today, we pay particular tribute to the women who served during these operations. Your courage, professionalism and dedication in often challenging and complex environments have made a lasting contribution to Australia's military history. Your service matters, your sacrifices are recognised, and you will not be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

RSL Australia Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy
Image by Defence Connect

In a war that left tens of thousands of Australian families in mourning, the Hutchins family suffered more than most. Mary Hutchins and her husband Henry saw seven of their nine sons off to war; only three came home.

The seven Hutchins brothers – Malcolm, William, David, Ivan, Alan, Fred and Eric – were aged between 17 and 30 and were working as labourers in their local community at Woorinen, near Swan Hill, Victoria, when they enlisted during the Second World War.

Four of the brothers – David, Alan, Fred and Eric – went on to serve in the ill-fated Gull and Lark Forces in Ambon and Rabaul. It wasn't until four years later that Mary and Henry would find out the fate of their boys.

In one week in February 1946, four telegrams arrived confirming the deaths of the four Hutchins brothers. Three of the telegrams arrived on the same day.

🔗 Learn about the Hutchins brother's story of duty and sacrifice: https://brnw.ch/21wX8QY

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📸 Image: A composite picture of Mary Hutchins and her husband Henry and their seven sons who enlisted during the Second World War. Back row, left to right: David, Malcolm, Eric, Fred, William and Ivan. Front row, left to right: Mary, Alan and Henry. P05555.015

No response is a response.

Sometimes silence tells you everything you were hoping words would explain. The unanswered message, the ignored effort, the sudden distance, the lack of care when you needed clarity. It all says something.

And as painful as it can be, you do not have to keep begging someone to communicate what their actions have already made clear.

People make time for what matters to them. They show up where they want to be. They answer when they care enough to not leave you guessing.

So stop rereading the silence like there is a secret message hidden inside it.

There is not.

Sometimes the silence is the message.

And your peace begins when you finally believe it.

Thank you for your Service. Lest we Forget

🫡 Explore history together in a hands-on and engaging way at the Army Museum of Western Australia! 📷 Housed in the heritage-listed Artillery Barracks in Fremantle, the museum brings WA’s military story to life, from colonial times through to modern peacekeeping operations. 🚔 See the impressive line-up of tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces! 🔦 Try on uniforms and soldier through all the different galleries as you hear the personal stories of service and sacrifice and really “feel” history. We personally like the WW1 Trench and Kokoda Track diorama! 🖥️ Visitors are able to research up on their family military history and even go on a discovery trail for those served in WW2. 🧒 Children receive a memento upon finishing their scavenger hunt. 👉Tips: Allow around 2 hours or more for a visit. Adult visitors must present appropriate ID upon entry. Tickets are available for purchase at the museum on the day. No cafe onsite. 👉Find out more @buggybuddys_kids_in_perth ✨Follow @singaporemuminperth for more family fun activities! 📍Army Museum of Western Australia 6 Burt Street, Fremantle, WA 6160 @armymuseumwa #perthkids #perthfamilies #perthparents #armymuseum #fremantle

HMAS Sydney off Vung Tau preparing to bring Australian troops home, November 1971.

THE THREE RAAF VICTORIA CROSSES

Three Australian Victoria Cross recipients of the Second World War earned their awards not on the ground, but in the air while serving as Royal Australian Air Force airmen.

• Hughie Edwards VC
• Ron Middleton VC
• Bill Newton VC

While Bill Newton fought in the Pacific directly with the RAAF, both Hughie Edwards and Ron Middleton earned their awards while attached to British Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons over Europe.

So how did Australian airmen end up flying in British skies?

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THE EMPIRE AIR TRAINING SCHEME

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain desperately needed thousands of trained aircrew.

Australia joined the Empire Air Training Scheme, agreeing to recruit and train airmen for service throughout the Commonwealth. Thousands of Australians trained in Australia before being sent to Britain, Canada and other training centres before joining operational squadrons.

By the end of the war:

• More than 27,000 Australian aircrew had qualified under the scheme.
• Nearly 28,000 Australians served in Europe and the Mediterranean.
• Australian airmen made up roughly 9 percent of RAF aircrew in those theatres.

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WHY DID THEY FLY WITH THE RAF?

In 1939, the RAAF was still relatively small. Australia simply did not have enough operational squadrons at home or overseas to employ the huge number of pilots, navigators, wireless operators and air gunners being trained.

As a result, many Australians retained their RAAF status but were posted directly to RAF units. Others served in Australian Article XV squadrons that operated within the RAF structure.

Their uniforms might display RAF squadron badges, but they remained Australian servicemen.

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SO WHY ARE THEIR VICTORIA CROSSES AUSTRALIAN?

The Victoria Cross was awarded to the individual, not the squadron.

Whether serving over Europe or in the Pacific, all three men were members of the Royal Australian Air Force. Their bravery was recognised regardless of whether their aircraft carried RAF or RAAF squadron markings.

This is why Australia officially counts them among our Second World War Victoria Cross recipients.

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THE THREE RAAF VICTORIA CROSSES

HUGHIE EDWARDS VC

Serving with No. 105 Squadron RAF, Edwards led a daring low-level bombing attack against Bremen in July 1941. Despite heavy damage and casualties, he completed the mission and brought his aircraft home.

RON MIDDLETON VC

Serving with No. 149 Squadron RAF, Middleton was severely wounded during a bombing raid on Turin in 1942. Despite his injuries, he kept his damaged Stirling bomber flying long enough for most of his crew to escape before the aircraft crashed into the sea.

BILL NEWTON VC

Serving with No. 22 Squadron RAAF in New Guinea, Newton carried out repeated attacks against Japanese positions despite intense anti-aircraft fire. Shot down on his final mission, he was captured and later executed. He remains the only RAAF officer awarded the Victoria Cross during the Pacific War.

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Three Australians. Three Victoria Crosses. Three remarkable stories of courage in the air.

Over the next 3 days, VC Heroes will tell the individual stories of these extraordinary Australian airmen and the actions that earned them the Empire's highest award for valour.

VC Heroes — Keeping History Alive.

Lest We Forget.

He enlisted on his 19th birthday after rising to Warrant Officer Class One in the Army Cadets. He was just 24 years old when he died.

Take a moment to stop and look around. Be kind to yourself

Perspective of the Day for July 2, 2026