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Geraldton City RSL

1 month 1 week ago

On this day... in 1944, the Australian Academy award-winning cameraman Damien Parer was killed while filming US troops on the island of Peleliu in the Pacific. Parer had won the Oscar for best documentary in 1943 with his film, "Front Line Kokoda".

Acquaintances thought that his commitment to filming troops on the frontline would bring about his death. He filmed Australian troops in North Africa, Greece and Syria, New Guinea and Timor then US troops on Guam and on Peleliu before his death. When he was killed, he was walking backwards behind a tank filming the faces of US Marines advancing under fire. As a war correspondent, he was mentioned in dispatches for "exceptional services in the field".

Lest we forget.

Ian Smith
Chair
ANZAC Day Committee

Image of Damien Parer: AWM

Geraldton City RSL

1 month 2 weeks ago

This military hero has an incredible story. Kuno will soon be receiving the coveted PDSA Dickin Medal -- the highest honor in the world for a military animal. He tackled Al Qaeda insurgents last year and others lived because of his bravery, although he was profoundly wounded. Here's his story, courtesy of gov. uk. Good, good dog, Kuno!

During a dangerous operation in 2019, three-year-old Belgian Shepherd Malinois Kuno and his handler were deployed in support of specialist UK and host nation forces on a compound raid against a well-armed and aggressive enemy when they came under attack.

Pinned down by grenade and machine-gun fire from an insurgent, the assault force was unable to move without taking casualties.

Without hesitation, Kuno charged through a hail of gunfire to tackle the gunman, breaking the deadlock and changing the course of the attack, allowing the mission to be completed successfully.

During the assault Kuno was wounded by bullets in both back legs. He was given life-saving treatment by his handler and by medics in the back of a helicopter.

His injuries were so severe he required several operations before he was stable enough to fly back to the UK. Sadly, part of one of Kuno’s rear paws had to be amputated to prevent life-threatening infection.

But now he is thriving after becoming the first UK military working dog to be fitted with custom made prosthetic limbs.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Without Kuno, the course of this operation could have been very different, and it’s clear he saved the lives of British personnel that day. This particular raid was one of the most significant achievements against Al Qaeda in several years.

The story continues here: bit.ly/2F30vaB

Geraldton City RSL

2 months 3 hours ago

I served with Jimmy Grice, of Foxhole Medals