RAAF Radar Veteran Attends Last Post Ceremony Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII.
_1.jpeg)
In recognition of the 80th anniversary of WWII VP Day and the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, a special Last Post ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 15 August 2025.
RAAF Radar veteran, David Westwood shares his experience as one of 12 veterans invited to Canberra to attend this national commemoration.
At the strong invitation of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, I was encouraged to take up the offer of travel to Canberra to attend the commemoration event to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Before adding further comments, I wish to express my grateful thanks to the DVA and, particularly, to Sarah Kennedy, Assistant Secretary Commemorations, and her team for their fantastic contribution towards making this experience so worthwhile and enjoyable.
Only 12 veterans were able and willing to participate in this event, and each had a carer who travelled with them and attended to their personal needs. Our GP denied Edith the right to care for me and so our son, Ken stepped in to fill that role.
The DVA was extremely generous, providing the costs of all travel, accommodation and meals, such that no veteran or carer was out of pocket in any way. Each veteran travelled Business Class, the carers, Economy, but the difference was barely recognisable.
Prior to boarding the aircraft in Melbourne on Thursday 14 August, I was interviewed by a reporter from the ABC, the interview being aired on the PM program that evening. At each change of mode of travel we were met by DVA staffers who saw us to the next stage of the journey.
In Canberra we were driven to the Hyatt Hotel where the accommodation was first class. The meals were excellent, and Sarah was always at the end of her mobile phone ready to attend to any request we might make. The Hotel provided a wheelchair to enable me to cover the distances from place to place.
Because my legs could not handle the distance between steps on the bus, we were provided with a taxi. Following a rest and a meal, we needed to decide whether to attend the RAAF band concert and we were so glad that we did. The theatre was packed out and the performance was excellent. The massive screen behind the band changed constantly with images from the war.
Next morning the group met at the hotel to discuss arrangements for the Last Post and the Australian War Memorial. We decided that our wreath would be laid by three veterans representing each of the Services. At around 3 PM we met again at the Australian War Memorial and, in the new entrance (out of the strong wind), met personally the Governor General (who presented each veteran with the Governor General’s own medal), the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and a host of photographers.
We then added poppies to our wreath and moved to the commemorative area for the most impressive Last Post ceremony. The DVA staff provided blankets to cover our knees.
The entire surrounds of the Memorial Pool were covered with wreaths laid by foreign diplomats, school representatives and many others. The ceremony over, we moved to the parade ground to await the fly–over of a modern fighter plane and were then taken back to the Hyatt, where a special menu offering was available.
Next morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast and met with a friend before leaving for the airport and once again being cared for by DVA staffers until we reached our home.
We express our warmest thanks to DVA, Sarah Kennedy and the DVA staff for such a memorable experience as this has been.
_2.jpg)
Above: David and Edith Westwood at the special Last Post Ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII at the Australian War Memorial,, Canberra on 15 August 2025.