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VETAFFAIRS
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Fix this textVol. 28 No. 1
Fix this textAutumn 2012
Fix this textISSN 0819-8934
Fix this textReturning to Singapore
Fix this textA journey made by more than 20,000 Australians dur-
Fix this texting the Second World War was retraced by five surviving
Fix this textsoldiers and a sailor in February to mark the 70th anni-
Fix this textversary of campaigns fought in Malaya and Singapore.
Fix this textThe commemorative mission particularly recognised
Fix this textthe hardships endured by the more than 15,000 Aus-
Fix this texttralian sailors, soldiers, airmen and nurses who were
Fix this textcaptured at the fall of Singapore and held prisoner by the
Fix this textJapanese, including more than 8000 who never returned
Fix this texthome.
Fix this textEach veteran played a unique role in what was one
Fix this textof the most costly campaigns in which Australia was
Fix this textinvolved during the Second World War.
Fix this textLed by Repatriation Commissioner Major General
Fix this textMark Kelly, AO DSC and accompanied by the Minis-
Fix this textter for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, the veterans
Fix this textrepresented all Australians who fought and made the
Fix this textultimate sacrifice during the war in the Pacific.
Fix this textRanging in age from 86 to 93, Mr Gordon Butler, Mr
Fix this textWilliam Ennis, Mr Roydon Cornford, Mr Derek Holyo-
Fix this textake, Mr Peter Dimopoulos and Mr George Smith were
Fix this textselected to represent their mates in arms.
Fix this text“We must never forget the courage of these men and
Fix this textwomen who were captured in Singapore and all across
Fix this textthe Pacific region during the Second World War,” Mr
Fix this textSnowdon said.
Fix this text“It has been a truly great honour to return to these
Fix this textplaces with them and to listen to their remarkable
Fix this textstories.”
Fix this textThe Malayan Campaign, which ended with the fall of
Fix this textSingapore, lasted just 68 days from 8 December 1941 to
Fix this text15 February 1942.
Fix this textOn 15 February 1942, Allied forces laid down their
Fix this textarms and Singapore fell silent. Consequently, more than
Fix this text15,000 Australian soldiers became prisoners of war.
Fix this text“It is vital we continue to honour the memory of those
Fix this textwho fought and those who were subjected to horrendous
Fix this textconditions in prisoner of war camps, not only in Singa-
Fix this textpore, but all around the Pacific,” Mr Snowdon said.
Fix this text“I hope this journey will be remembered by these great
Fix this textmen for many years to come.”
Fix this textThe veteran representatives fought in pivotal bat-
Fix this texttles in Malaya, and survived horrendous conditions as
Fix this textprisoners of war in places like Changi, the Thai-Burma
Fix this textRailway and in labour camps in Japan.
Fix this textWhile in Malaysia, commemorative services were held
Fix this textat sites that hold great significance in Australia’s mili-
Fix this texttary history including Gemas and Parit Sulong, once the
Fix this textsite of a great atrocity of the Second World War.
Fix this textBill Ennis and Gordon Butler both fought at Gemas.
Fix this textBill was involved in the heavy fighting experienced by
Fix this textthe 2/30th Battalion at Gemas and during the retreat
Fix this textdown the Malayan Peninsula towards Singapore.
Fix this textFollowing a moving ceremony at Changi Chapel - Back (l-r) - Derek Holyoake, George Smith, Bill Ennis;
Fix this textfront (l-r) - Gordon Butler, Roy Cornford and Peter Dimopoulos.
Fix this textGordon’s regiment moved in at Gemas as reinforce-
Fix this textment relieving its sister unit. At 93 years of age, this was
Fix this textthe first time Gordon had returned to Gemas. On reflec-
Fix this texttion, he said, “It was a totally different war to what we’d
Fix this textbeen trained to do ... I don’t think any words can really
Fix this textdescribe the brutality that we suffered.”
Fix this textFinal salute to the veterans from Australia’s Federation Guard.
Fix this textIn an emotional journey, some veterans returned to
Fix this textlocations for first time since they served, and reflected
Fix this texton the memories of those who were left behind.
Fix this textPeter Dimpoulos described the experience as over-
Fix this textwhelming. After visiting the Kranji War Cemetery for a
Fix this textdawn service to commemorate the fall of Singapore, Peter
Fix this textsaid, “It brings back memories—as you walk around the
Fix this textcemetery and read the names and the ages, you wonder
Fix this textwhat it was all for.”
Fix this textAlongside the veterans were staff from the Depart-
Fix this textment of Veterans’ Affairs and young men and women of
Fix this textAustralia’s Federation Guard.
Fix this textSharing stories across service experience, from the
Fix this textpast to the contemporary, was a rewarding experience.
Fix this text“The boys and girls have been great - they made us feel
Fix this textyoung again,” said veteran George Smith. “They look
Fix this textafter us and it’s great to have the guard all around you in
Fix this textformal ceremonies.”
Fix this textAfter a final commemorative service at the Changi
Fix this textChapel, where Roy, Gordon, Bill, George, Derek and
Fix this textPeter paid their respects to all those who walked through
Fix this textthe iron gates of Changi, a true display of mateship
Fix this textengaged the veterans as the Federation Guard mounted
Fix this texta final salute to the group with a guard of honour.
Fix this textPensions and allowances rise
Fix this textVeterans’ pensions were increased on 20 March follow-
Fix this texting the latest round of indexation adjustments. Pension
Fix this textrates are calculated on a daily basis, so the pension paid
Fix this texton payday 22 March 2012 was paid at the old rates. The
Fix this textfirst full payment at the new rates of pension will be pay-
Fix this textday 5 April 2012.
Fix this textThe maximum rate of single service pension includ-
Fix this texting pension supplement has risen by $6.70 to $755.50
Fix this textper fortnight and the maximum rate for couples has
Fix this textincreased by $5.00 to $569.50 per fortnight (each).
Fix this textThe Special Rate of disability pension (T&PI pen-
Fix this textsion) has increased by $10.40 to $1,154.20 per fortnight.
Fix this textThe Extreme Disablement Adjustment has increased to
Fix this text$637.30 per fortnight and the 100 per cent General Rate of
Fix this textdisability pension has increased to $410.10 per fortnight.
Fix this textThe pension paid to war widow(er)s has increased by
Fix this text$6.90 to $765.60 per fortnight, while the ceiling rate of
Fix this textthe income support supplement, which is paid to some
Fix this text73,000 war widow(er) s, has risen to $228.90 per fortnight.
Fix this textThe quarterly instalment of seniors supplement
Fix this text($209.30 if single and $157.95 if a member of a couple)
Fix this textwas paid on 22 March 2012.
Fix this textPayments have also increased for benefits under
Fix this textthe Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
Fix this text(MRCA). The MRCA widowed partner’s payment is
Fix this text$382.80 per week, paid fortnightly.
Fix this textMore information on the new pension rates is avail-
Fix this textable at www.dva.gov.au or by contacting DVA on 133 254
Fix this textor from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254.
Fix this textPage 3 - rates summary table
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Fix this textMORE TRANSPORT PROVIDERS NOW AVAILABLE
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Fix this textCHANGES TO PAYMENT SUMMARIES
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Fix this textDEBUNKING THE MYTHS-WHITE CARDS
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559059
Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. (). Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, Retrieved May 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559059
Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, [Canberra]: [Dept. of Veterans' Affairs], . Web. 29 May 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559059>
Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. , Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, [Dept. of Veterans' Affairs], [Canberra] viewed 29 May 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559059
{{Citation
| author1=Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs.
| title=Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs
| year=
| section=v. : ill. ; 35-40 cm.
| issn=0819-8934
| issue=Vol. 28 No.1 Autumn (March - May 2012)
| location=[Canberra]
| publisher=[Dept. of Veterans' Affairs]
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559059
| id=nla.obj-1168559059
| access-date=29 May 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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