Medallions presented to veterans’ families in Moree

Three World War II veterans from Moree have been honoured for their service during a special presentation.

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce and federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton presented the families of Noel Arthur Dean, James Carl Shepherd and William Henry Norman with a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The medallions were presented on behalf of the Moree RSL Sub-Branch at the recently opened Moree War Memorial Museum.

“While Australia can never repay the debt we owe almost one million Australians who served during the Second World War, this medallion and certificate are a small but meaningful way we can thank veterans of the largest global conflict of the 20th century,” Mr Coulton said.

“I’m pleased to be joined by Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce in Moree to present these special medallions to the families of Noel Dean, James Shepherd and William Norman.

“Noel and James were both members of the 24th Light Horse Regiment. Noel transferred to the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on October 8, 1940 and served in the 3rd Australian Armoured Regiment before he was discharged on May 28, 1946.

“James was transferred to the 2nd AIF on November 29, 1940 and served in the 2/64 Transport before he was discharged on October 1, 1945.

“William joined the 2/1 Australian Pioneer Battalion on May 5, 1943 before he was transferred to the 2/1 Australian Machine Battalion on October 16, 1943. He disembarked in Morotai on June 13, 1945 before embarking for Balikpapan on June 20, 1945, eventually getting discharged on March 25, 1946.

“Each of these men served this country with great pride and it’s an honour to be able to thank them for their service and sacrifice. Even though they are no longer with us, it’s lovely for their families to have this memento to pass onto future generations, to remember the role they played in World War II.”

Mr Joyce said the Commemorative Medallion was an initiative established by the former Coalition Government to acknowledge the significance of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2020.

“The Commemorative Medallion provides veterans’ families with a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and services rendered by a member of their family to preserve our freedoms and way of life,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said it was a great opportunity to be in Moree to meet with local veterans.