RECOGNITION AT LAST
AFTER all his years of service, Townsville veteran Thomas “Lachie” Campbell will be marching in this year’s Anzac Day parade with his service medals for the first time.
The Bulletin first met the 91year- old, who was part of the occupation force in Japan after World War II, earlier in February this year.
He finally received the Australia Service Medal 1943- 45, Australian Service Medal 1945- 75 with Japan clasp, first, second and third clasp to the Defence Force Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal, after waiting for 74 years following his enlistment into the Royal Australian Air Force in 1944.
“It’s very good to be marching with the medals … I made a promise that I would to everyone I met the day I was given those,” Mr Campbell said.
As a result of ailing health, Mr Campbell last marched in a parade about 10 years ago and said it was important the community maintained the tradition of remembering the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women.
“I think they’re keeping it quite well, the schools always make an appearance, they all seem very keen on it,” he said. Lachie became a part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force ( BCOF) deployed to bring stability to Japan, after US forces dropped two atomic bombs on the nation, ending the war against the Allies.
His son Matthew Campbell helped secure his father’s service medals after learning last year that BCOF veterans were made eligible in 1997. Matthew Campbell said he thought Anzac Day was special for the wider Townsville community.
“It’s lovely to see Dad marching again … as well as wearing his medals, he’s going to have his poppy on,” he said.
“It really is a symbolic thing that we can all do to share that respect for that sacrifice.”
Lachie said looking at his medals brought back memories of his service in Japan.
Last July he was finally issued a repatriation health gold card from the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Hawke government repealed the Australian Soldiers Repatriation Act 1920 in 1986, meaning BCOF veterans were not entitled to promised benefits.
The Dawn Service will be held at 5.30am at Anzac Park, The Strand, followed by the Parade at 9am from Strand Park to Anzac Park.