The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (422080) Flying Officer Robert Millar Kennard, No. 180 Squadron, RAF, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Robyn Siers, the story for this day was on (422080) Flying Officer Robert Millar Kennard, No. 180 Squadron, RAF, Second World War.

422080 Flying Officer Robert Millar Kennard, No. 180 Squadron, RAF
KIA 21 March 1945
Photograph: UK1646

Story delivered 4 June 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Flying Officer Robert Millar Kennard, whose photograph is displayed beside the Pool of Reflection.

Known affectionately as "Bob”, Kennard was born in Melbourne in July 1923 but was raised and educated in Canberra. He was captain of Canberra High School, and known as a talented footballer and athlete.

Kennard worked briefly for the customs department before being awarded a scholarship to study forestry at Sydney University. He completed one year of study before enlisting with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. His older brother, Russell, and his younger brother, Don, also served in the RAAF.

Kennard trained as a pilot in Canada, travelling to Britain for active service with No. 180 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. He observed the Allied landings at Normandy from his Mitchell bomber on 6 June 1944, making two trips over the Channel that day. He later recorded in his diary: “It was a wonderful sight. There were so many ships off the beaches that from the air it looked as though you could walk across them.”

After D-Day he spent nine months as an instructor in England before joining a tactical squadron, and in early 1945 he began flying daily operations deep into German territory. On 21 March he was piloting a Mitchell bomber over targets in Bocholt when he disappeared. Initially reported as missing, he was later confirmed as shot down, and is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. He was just 21 years old.

The name of Flying Officer Kennard is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Flying Officer Robert Millar Kennard and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.