MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SENATOR THE HON. MICHAEL RONALDSON
MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF
ANZAC
SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE
Friday, 8 May 2015
VA041
70 YEARS SINCE VICTORY IN EUROPE WAS DECLARED
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today joined seven
Australian veterans at the Arc de Triomphe in France at international commemorations to mark 70
years since Victory in Europe was declared during the Second World War.
“8 May 1945 was declared Victory in Europe (VE) Day after Germany signed an unconditional
surrender on all fronts, bringing an official end to the Second World War in Europe, and today, 70
years on, we remember all Australians who served in the war against Germany and her European
allies.”
“On the pavements at the Arc de Triomphe, the Australian veterans who all served in the European or
Mediterranean theatres during the Second World War, along with their former allies, remembered this
historic occasion in what was an emotional experience,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Australian men and women served in Europe and the Mediterranean from the beginning of hostilities
in September 1939 until the war ended on 8 May 1945.
Fighting in the European and Mediterranean theatres came at a great cost, with some 28,000
Australians killed, wounded, or taken prisoner-of-war.
There were also acts of great courage and bravery, with eight Australians being awarded the nation’s
highest military honour, the Victoria Cross (VC), during fighting against Germany and her European
allies.
“The sacrifices and acts of heroism from Australians on European soil, at sea, in European skies and
in the campaigns around the Mediterranean, were not in vein and will forever remain a part of our
history.”
“While I am privileged to join these seven Australian veterans here in France, I want to encourage all
Australians, whether at home or abroad, to pay their respects this VE Day and remember all those who
served our nation,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line
can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling.
Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546)
Editor’s note: Follow the veterans on Facebook at Anzac Centenary, Twitter at @dvaaus and
Flickr at DVA Aus when in France and London. Veteran biographies, images, historical background
and other resources are available at www.dva.gov.au/media
For interviews with veteran representatives contact [email protected] or
+61 (0)419 120 908.
Media enquiries:
Minister Ronaldson: Mark Lee 02 6277 7820 or 0408 547 381
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
Veteran representatives in France and the United Kingdom for VE Day commemorations
Name
Location
Age on
mission
Unit/Service
Mr Eric Barton
NSW
92
No. 186 Squadron, RAF
Mr John Bell
VIC
97
No. 216 Squadron, RAF
Mr Norman Ginn
SA
91
No. 460 Squadron, RAAF
Mr Peter Jensen
NSW
93
No. 461 Squadron, RAAF
Mr Alexander Kerr
WA
93
No. 115 Squadron, RAF
Mr Mervyn Reece
QLD
91
No. 461 Squadron, RAAF
Mr John Shannon
VIC
90
RAF Base Waddington
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line
can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling.
Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546)