Bomber Command Annual Service Commemorative Address 2024

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. I acknowledge their continuing culture and contribution to this region. I’ve said many times that we are blessed to live and work in such a lovely part of the country – from the Namadgi to the south, the Brindabellas to the west, the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers – and I thank the traditional custodians for looking after it, generation after generation.

Good morning. 

It is a privilege for Linda and me to be with you on this important occasion in our national calendar. 

The service, contributions and sacrifices of those in Bomber Command in the Second World War must never be forgotten. 

In remembering and honouring their deeds, we also acknowledge the impact of that service on loved ones and communities. 

Of the 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command during the Second World War, more than 4,000 Australian personnel died as a result of their service. 

They include 1,500 ground crew from Bomber Command who died during the war, including 91 women. 

We honour them, and the servicemen and women of other nations with whom we fought alongside. 

I extend a warm welcome to all veterans, war widows and current serving men and women of the ADF and other nations’ Defence forces and their families who are here this morning. 

 

Later this week, Linda and I will visit France to represent Australia at commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. 

Events include an international ceremony in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and the United Kingdom’s national event at the British Normandy Memorial. 

We will also pay our respects to fallen Australian personnel at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and at the Daours, Ranville and Bayeux cemeteries. 

 

The anniversary of D-Day prompts significant reflection: 

To remember and honour individuals.

To appreciate the scale of the operation, and the cooperation across nations required to achieve victory.

And to understand the consequences of those efforts in shaping the world and protecting the freedoms that we enjoy to this day. 

 

In the lead up to events in France this week, the theme of the Bomber Command Memorial Service this year is timely. 

Bomber Commands’ contributions to the D-Day landings included pre- D-Day, D-Day and post- D-Day operations to isolate German reinforcements, destroy indirect fire systems and secure Allied flanks. 

The success of the landings at Normandy ultimately led to the liberation of France and Europe. 

One only has to look at the people here today and the organisations represented to begin to appreciate the scale of Bomber Commands’ contributions. 

There is, on the one hand, a very visible contribution — the flying of the aircraft as part of the broader D-Day effort.  

The skill of the pilots and crew. 

The expertise of the ground crews. 

The dedication of the ancillary teams. 

They were brave. They were selfless. They answered the call of their nation. 

And the less-visible contribution — the character of those servicemen and women and the support they received from governments and service organisations — the RSL, Legacy, the War Widows and other charitable organisations. 

 

Soon, we will hear from Mr Bert Adams DFC Ld’H (Retd), Bomber Command veteran (and centenarian), who will deliver a reflection.

Bert’s contribution to the war effort, indeed the contributions of all involved in Bomber Command, speak to the broader impact of service — on nations, on communities, on people. 

What a privilege for us and for younger generations to hear from Bert. To hear, in his words, what it was like to serve and what the sacrifices of his mates meant. 

 

One of things I have emphasised in my time as Governor-General, is the importance of history particularly to the younger generations coming through. 

Because our history is what shapes us, drives us and helps give us character. 

That is why we must remember the contributions of those who served in Bomber Command. 

Because in remembering what took place in the Second World War we are learning and thinking about who we are as people. 

All of us coming together at this Memorial Service helps to keep our shared history alive. 

 

It speaks volumes to who you are — to who we are — as people. 

We will never forget the service and sacrifice of the 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command. 

We remember them. 

We honour them. 

We pledge to learn and better understand our shared history. 

Lest we forget.