Recognition from Across the Ditch
These items were sighted in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
Yes, the Australians recognise the importance of the Far East Strategic Reserve with a list of those Australian ships and crews who served.
What is more, embarrassing is that even after a huge amount of correspondence from veteran groups, the New Zealand Defence Force and past Governments have yet to acknowledge this service conducted by New Zealand Ships and their Crews doing the same duties and roles as our Australian counterparts? At least the Australians recognise this SERVICE. Your Association continues to communicate with the NZDF over this matter and will not let it rest.
Frank’s article is indeed a timely reminder highlighting NZDF’s pathetic and predictable inability to rid itself of the raft of erroneous ‘Irish Pennants’ to formally recognize all repeat all ex NZDF personnel, [New Zealand military men and women of the Air force, Army and Navy], who were deployed ashore and afloat to the FESR/ANZUK theatre from 1955 -1975. To rehearse, Australia has formally recognised all of their military personnel – New Zealand has not. To cut to the nut, it seems thus far, the NZDF views long established factual evidence and the truth on this vexed matter as their enemy!
Parking that to one side, let’s trust year 2021 will be an ánnus mirabilis’ and one that will allow us all to formally celebrate New Zealand FESR/ANZUK medallic recognition to all of those who served!