Rosewood RSL Sub-Branch

28/10/2026

06/10/2026

Lest we Forget

We are deeply saddened by the death of an Australian Army soldier during a training exercise at Mount Bundey, south-east of Darwin. Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family, friends and fellow ADF members during this difficult time.

An additional five Australian soldiers were injured, and we extend our thoughts and best wishes to them and their families as they recover.

27/09/2026

🇦🇺WWII uncovered: 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion: Landing at Lae New Guinea

"Cairns, Queensland. 1943-08-07: Troops of 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion on the Wharf prior to Embarkation. Reorganised for Jungle Operations, the 2/43rd participated in the 9th Division amphibious landing at Red Beach, north-west of Lae New Guinea. The 2/43rd came ashore during the night of 5 September. The 2/43rd reached the Butibum River on the outskirts of Lae on 16 September." - Australian War Memorial

Following the fall of Lae, the 20th Brigade landed at Scarlet Beach, north of Finschhafen, on 22 September. It was followed by the 24th Brigade, with the 2/43rd moving to Scarlet Beach in the early hours of 30 September and the rest of the brigade in October. It successfully defended the area against the Japanese counter-attack. By the end of October the main Japanese force had withdrawn to Sattelberg but large numbers of troops remained north of Scarlet Beach, near Pino Hill and Nongora. Advancing along the coast, the 2/28th captured Guiska, while further inland the 2/32nd captured Pino and Pabu. Between 22 and 25 November the Japanese launched a series of unsuccessful attacks against Pabu. After ten days the 2/43rd joined the 2/32nd. Although the battalions were seriously depleted by illness, they continued inland and to Christmas Hill by 10 December. The 2/43rd was relieved shortly afterwards and spent Christmas at a rest area near Scarlet Beach. The battalion returned to Australia at the end of January 1944.

Shown Are:- Corporal I. E. Williams (1); Pte C. Buswell (2); Pte R. J. Pope (3); Lance Corporal H. B. Jackson (4); Pte R. Percival (5); Pte T. Mcquillan (6); Pte L. Maloney (7); Pte D. J. Maywald (8); Pte L. B. Blee (9); Pte A. V. Brown (10); Pte C. C. P. Giles (11); Cpl W. V. Barrett (12); Sergeant Parker (13); Cpl H. F. George (14); Pte G. H. Philips (15); Cpl C. M. Kroemer (16); Pte T. W. Barnard (17); Cpl D. R. Forsyth (18); Pte S. R. Hill (19); Pte J. Curnow (20); Acting Corporal W. Gray (21); Lance Corporal F. W. Creamer (22); Pte C. P. Ashman (23); Lance Corporal F. W. Niesler (24); Pte D. J. Pink (25); Pte R. W. Tilby (26); Cpl L. A. Dorling (27); Pte P. J. Rosen (28); Pte M. W. Whittington (29) Pte W. R. Edwards (30); Pte R. W. Trowbridge (31); Pte A. O. G. Werner (32); Pte A. B. Sinclair (33); Lance Corporal E. W. Ridgeway (34); Pte C. G. Neville (35); Pte K. W. Sweet (36); Pte H. J. Hutchison (37); Pte a. T. Graffin (38); Pte C. E. Weymouth (39); Pte E. W. Poole-Christophers (40); Pte L. L. Summers (41); Pte Hazelgrove (42); Pte R. Dalziel (43); Sgt W. T. Vine (44); Sgt R. V. Liebeknecht (45) Pte N. R. Taylor (46).



Original description and photo sourced by The Australian War Memorial Collection/055357 (Photographer: Norman Bradford Stuckey)

24/09/2026

02/09/2026

On the first Wednesday of September, we observe Battle for Australia Day. This day commemorates the battles fought against Japanese forces in the South and Southwest Pacific during World War II, including the bombing of Darwin, the Kokoda campaign, and the Battle of Milne Bay, to prevent an invasion of mainland Australia.

Of the more than 39,000 Australians who lost their lives in WWII, around 17,000 were killed in the Pacific theatre of war. Battle for Australia Day serves as a reminder to honour those who defended our nation and contributed to the defeat of Japan.

Lest we forget.

📸 Australian War Memorial

01/09/2026

Today, on Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day, we honour the Australians who served in the Malayan Emergency, Thai-Malay border operations and the Indonesian Confrontation during the 1950s and 1960s.

Thousands of Australians served across the Malay Peninsula, Borneo and the surrounding seas and skies, alongside Commonwealth and allied forces.

Across these campaigns, 62 Australians lost their lives, while many others were wounded, injured or medically evacuated as a result of their service.

Today, we remember their courage, service and sacrifice, and acknowledge all veterans of these campaigns and those whose lives were forever shaped by their service.

Lest we forget.

📸 Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, moving from hut to hut in a village as they carry out a routine patrol along the Malaysian-Indonesian border, Borneo, June 1966 (AWM).

17/08/2026

On Vietnam Veterans Day today we remember and honour the past and present service and sacrifice of all service personnel who served in the South East Asian conflicts. We thank you for your service - Lest we Forget 🙏

13/08/2026