Advertisment
General News
19 December, 2024
Butterworth vets fight for recognition
Oakey’s Stan Hannaford was one of a group of veterans who were stationed with the Australian Rifle Company at Butterworth in Malaysia and met with Federal Member for Groom Garth Hamilton in Pittsworth on Monday to discuss their continuing journey for recognition.
Mike Vogler from Pittsworth, Garth Hamilton MP, Stan Hannaford (Oakey) and Larry Illiffe (Toowoomba).
The Groom MP agreed to support the group in-principle and has offered to assist their cause.
In October this year, some of the team including Mr Hannaford met with Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel in Canberra and discussions are continuing.
After the withdrawal of troops from south-east Asia in 1973 by Prime Minister Whitlam, Defence personnel continued to be stationed at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Butterworth.
Although officially there under the guise of training, the group was required to defend the Base and its assets against a communist insurgency.
The New Zealand Government has already recognised its veterans from Butterworth with an Active Service Medal.
Advertisment
