Sculpture memorial for Far East Strategic Reserve

The Council of the Australian War Memorial have endorsed in principle a proposal for a sculpture memorial to the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) to be installed in the Memorial’s sculpture garden. The memorial aims to commemorate the contribution of all those Australians who participated in the Far East Strategic Reserve. This will be achieved by commissioning and installing a sculpture by a significant Australian artist in the Memorial's sculpture garden.

In addition to commemorating those who served in the FESR, the sculpture will be a significant work of contemporary art and a major addition to the National Collection.

The Far East Strategic Reserve War Memorial Foundation are currently fundraising to meet the cost of the development and installation of this memorial.  

Information on how to donate https://fesrmemorial.org.au/index.html

Background - Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR)

The British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (BCFESR), more commonly known by its shortened form FESR was formally announced by Prime Minister Robert Menzies in April 1955. The Australian commitment to FESR maintained ties with Britain while strengthening ties with the United States through its commitment to the South East Asia Treaty Organisation.

Based in Malaysia, Australia, Britain and New Zealand all committed Army, Navy and Air Force assets to the reserve. This was not a warfighting formation, but was created in part to deter communist expansion into the region.

Australian infantry battalions while attached to 28th Commonwealth Brigade in Malaya for FESR came under command of Headquarters, Far East Land Forces (FARELF) for their secondary role of conducting operations against Communist Terrorists on mainland Malaya. Similarly, the Royal Australian Air Force squadrons came under command of Far East Air Force (FEAF) and the Royal Australian Navy Far East Station (FES) while conducting operations. FESR concluded in December 1975.