Reflecting on Sacrifice in the Australian Defence Honours and Awards System

As Australia Day approaches and national conversations shift towards honours and awards, the issue of sacrifice comes to mind. Specifically, I think about the brave members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who put their lives and mental health at risk to protect others and uphold the ideals of a Western democracy.

The service and sacrifice of many ADF, though not all, are commemorated on memorial and honours walls, such as the Australian War Memorial in our nation's capital and other places. These serve as a solemn reminder as we gather to lay wreaths and honour the fallen with the promise — We Will Remember Them. Lest We Forget.

However, what becomes apparent is a serious flaw in the Australian Defence Honours and Awards system. An embarrassing flaw that fails to meet a simple standard in record-keeping — to accurately record the service and sacrifices of ADF members on their military medals, such that serve as the official record of an ADF member's military service. Furthermore, Australia does not officially recognise the sacrifices made by ADF families as a result of their loved ones' military service and sacrifice.

Military medals tell the story of an individual's service to the nation. They indicate where a member served (campaign medal), the duration of their service (Long Service Medal), and if they served with distinction (Bravery Medals, Conspicuous Service Medals, etc.). However, Australian Military Medals do not reflect any element of "sacrifice" related to death or injury. There is no indication that the member was killed, injured, or wounded while serving the nation. This is a major flaw in the current Australian Honours and Awards system that must be remedied.

Warrant Officer Class One (Retd) Kerry Danes CSM first brought this anomaly to the attention of the Australian Government in 1996, following an accident that resulted in the death of 18 of his colleagues from 1 Squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and 5th Aviation Regiment. He initiated a campaign for medallic recognition to ensure any official record of ADF personnel killed, wounded, or injured in war-like, non-war like, and/or hazardous service, was accurately reflected on their military medals.

Over the last 28 years, Kerry's campaign action inspired over 200 submissions from Veteran Organisations to become the catalyst for the 2022 Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal Inquiry which upheld his arguments and made recommendations as follows:

1. Memorial Clasp and accompanying scroll — to recognise the service-related death of a veteran.
2. Gratitude Clasp, a lapel pin, and accompanying scroll — to recognise serious wounds, injuries, or diseases suffered by a veteran as a result of service.
3. Memorial Star and accompanying scroll — to recognise the sacrifice of a veteran's family when their death is service-related.
4. Gratitude Star and accompanying scroll — to recognise the sacrifice of a veteran's family when they suffer serious wounds, injuries, or diseases as a result of service.

On 06 May 2023, WO1 (Retd) Kerry Danes received a response from the office of Minister Matt Keogh who wrote "the matters are being considered."?

As we approach Australia Day 2024 and the Australia Day honours list is announced to acknowledge the achievements of remarkable individuals in our community, I wonder how much longer the Australian Government need to “consider the matters” to officially recognise the service and sacrifice of ADF members and their families, according to the 2022 Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal recommendations.

In order that "We Will Remember Them," we must surely accurately reflect their official record of service and sacrifice on the member's military medals? This is especially important when you consider that it is their individual medals that will narrate their personal stories for generations of Australians to come — Lest We Forget!

For more information on this campaign: https://www.defencelivesmatter.com/killed-in-service

"Throughout my 47-year military career, I've served alongside some of our Nation's bravest individuals. They served with honour and integrity and paid the ultimate sacrifice or were injured and/or wounded in service. ?I believe we owe them and their families a debt of gratitude. To do that, we must officially record their sacrifice through medallic recognition because it is the ADF member's medals that tell the story of their service!" WO1 (Retd) Kerry Danes, CSM.

Write to The Hon. Matt Keogh MP (below)

E? [email protected]

E [email protected]

https://www.mattkeogh.com/Contact

Example:

"I thank the Australian Government for recognising the sacrifices made by our ADF members and their families. I understand the Minister is considering the decision to recommend varying categories of medallic recognition according to the 2022 Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Report. I would especially like the Minister to support recognition for the "Memorial Clasp" to be awarded from as early as the Sudan Campaign (3 MAR 1885) when the very first Australian died in service and to recognise 100% or?102,911 Australians killed in campaigns such as: WW1, WW2, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc?

*Be sure to sign your name, address, contact number, email address, date.