RSL Kingston SE Sub-Branch

19/10/2026

Today, 19 October, is War Widows Day - a day to recognise the war widows and widowers whose partners died as a result of service.

The date was set to coincide with the birthday of Jessie Vasey, who was born in Roma, Queensland, in 1897.

After graduating from university, she married George Alan Vasey in 1921. He served in the Australian Army in both world wars, and during his service he saw the poor living conditions faced by the widows of his men. He encouraged Jessie to help.

On 5 March 1945, Major General Vasey was killed on active service, and Jessie became a war widow herself.

Later that year, on 22 November, she founded the War Widows Guild of Australia in Melbourne. The Guild was soon established Australia-wide, supporting widows of servicemen who had died of war-related causes. As its President, Jessie campaigned for better pensions, housing and medical assistance until her death in 1966.

Help us honour all families of those who serve, by supporting the creation of a new sculpture at the Australian War Memorial.

Donate: https://brnw.ch/21x6vaN
Recognising Families Sculpture

18/10/2026

Why do we pause at 11 am on 11 November?

At 11 am on 11 November 1918, after more than four years of fighting, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. More than 70 million people had been mobilised for the First World War. Between 9 and 13 million died, and as many as a third have no known grave.

The allied nations chose that day and that hour to remember the people they had lost. From the first anniversary in 1919, the silence of the Western Front was recalled at the eleventh hour in ceremonies across many allied nations, and it has been kept every year since.

On Wednesday 11 November, when 11 am arrives where you are, pause for one minute's silence for all those who died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Why do you pause at 11 am? Tell us in the comments. 💬

🔗 The origins of Remembrance Day: https://brnw.ch/21x6unh

📸 An unidentified cinematographer films the last shots fired before the Armistice, 11 November 1918. A03267

17/10/2026

Anzac Day Veteran and Family Representative applications now open.

Expressions of interest are now open for veterans and family members of veterans who would like to volunteer as representatives at overseas Anzac Day services held by DVA in 2027.

We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, experiences and service histories.

Megan Banton was a volunteer at the Anzac Day service in Villers-Bretonneux, France, and shared the following about her experience:

"Volunteering at Villers-Bretonneux gave me a completely new appreciation for the impact of Australian service overseas. Being part of the team delivering these commemorations allowed me to contribute in a way that felt both meaningful and deeply personal. It reinforced the importance of preserving these stories for future generations."

If you would like to volunteer as a representative and assist DVA with commemorations in Gallipoli, Villers-Bretonneux, Sandakan, Hellfire Pass, Isurava or Singapore, applications for 2027 close on 8 November 2026.

For further information and to submit your application, visit: https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition-and-commemoration/commemoration-services/overseas-commemorative-services/veteran-and-family-representative-application-portal

16/10/2026

Another Avro Anson AW678 crashed at Reedy Creek on 11 August 1942 killing all five crew members.

TANTANOOL AIR CRASH MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 10:30am, a memorial service will be held at Tantanoola SA, in remembrance of the crash of an RAAF aircraft nearby, which killed one of the aircrew. All are welcome.

RAAF Avro Anson AW849 crashed and burned 5 miles west of Tantanoola, South Australia on 14 October 1942. The aircraft was returning from an intensive sea search operation following a reported sighting of an enemy submarine. The crew were attached to 2 Air Observation School and based at the RAAF station in Laverton, Victoria. The aircraft crashed after running out of fuel due to a navigation error. The 2 crew members parachuted to safety, but the pilot, Flight Officer Baxter Watson, was killed in the crash.

04/10/2026

THREE YOUNG LIVES. A LASTING LEGACY. LEST WE FORGET.
The Mount Gambier Community RSL and Australian Bluegum Plantations warmly invite members of the community to attend the Cross of Sacrifice Dedication – Puralka Crash, commemorating the crew of Beaufort Bomber A9-305.
On 27 August 1945, the aircraft crashed at Puralka while returning to Sale, Victoria, after departing Mount Gambier on the final leg of a training exercise.
We will gather to remember and honour:
Flying Officer John Thomas Walton – Pilot, aged 21. Flight Sergeant Henry Neville Lord – Navigator, aged 28. Flight Sergeant Brian John Eaton – Wireless Air Gunner, aged 20
This dedication will create a lasting place of remembrance at the crash site, recognising the service and sacrifice of these three young airmen.
📅 Sunday 11 October 2026.
🕜 1:30pm – Victorian time.
📍 ABP Huntly Plantation – Puralka crash site
Members of the community, veterans, descendants and representatives of service organisations are warmly invited to attend and pay their respects.
Please bring a chair and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
We encourage you to share this post with anyone who may wish to attend.
Lest We Forget. 🌺

02/10/2026

Sad to see the passing of our oldest member.

Lest We Forget.

THORPE,
Arnold Durbeth

Passed away peacefully at Kingston SE Hospital, Kingston SE on Tuesday 29th September 2026.
Aged 93 years.

Dearly loved and devoted husband of Pattie of 72 years.

Cherished Father and Father-in-law of Gayle & Bill, Gary & Jane, Debbie & Lindsay and Tonia.

Adored Poppa of Mitchell, Alexander, Emily, Megan, Carly, Hannah, Callum, Connor and Hilary.

Loved Great Poppa of Liam, Sebastian, Edmond, Lily, Madi, Kayden, Reece, Tigerlily, Eli and Koah.

~ Now at Rest ~

24/09/2026

14/09/2026

Anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping Operations

17/08/2026

Today, 18 August, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.

The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th Century, with almost 60,000 Australians serving during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972. About 3,000 Australians were wounded during the war, and 524 died during their service in Vietnam or as a result of that service.

Today, we say thank you.

Whilst the Kingston SE RSL Sub-branch is not holding a Commemorative Service, we should pause to remember all those who served, suffered and died through this conflict.

Lest we forget.

17/08/2026

Remembering Vietnam Veterans Day
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DyUmipQJW/

Adelaide Vietnam Memorial
Location Victoria Drive , Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Type Monuments
Description A bronze and black granite memorial comprising the figures of an Australian and South Vietnamese infantryman standing at rest from patrol, gazing toward the horizon. They are surmounted on a Black Hill black granite pedestal that in turn is mounted on a two-tier black granite surbase and concrete slab base. At the entrance to the memorial area are two black granite blocks dedicated to South Vietnamese refugees. All details are in gold leaf. At the base of the monument on the West, North and East sides are 999, red pavers, black etched, at a cost of $100 each from donors to the project. At the rear of the area are three park benches, each with white metal plaques detailing the major donors of the project that cost $350,000. In the forefront of the concrete slab is a sand filled aperture for the placing of incense sticks from the Vietnamese community.
Built Figures sculptured by James Martin, bronze cast by Tim Thomson. Pedestal base constructed by S.D.TILLETT Memorials.
Opened 15 October 2006 by LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR DONALD DUNSTAN AC KBE CB
Inscription Face: Pedestal;
VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
LEST WE FORGET
Left Face: Pedestal
South Vietnam NAVY;VIETNAMESE VETERANS ASSOCIATION ARMY
LOYALTY
>
1962-1973
THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES THOSE SERVICEMEN WHO ENLISTED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE.
TUONG DAI NAY TUONG NIEM CAC CHIEN BINH DA TINH NGUYEN
NHAP NGU TAI NAM UC VA DA CAO CA HY SINH Pedestal engraved plaque lower:
THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE,IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE BRANCHES OF THE RSL, VVAA, VVFA AND THE VIETNAMESE VETERANS' ASSOCIATION.
ASSISTANCE CAME FROM AUSTRALIAN AND VIETNAMESE PEOPLE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA, INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS,THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL AND THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
UNVEILED BY THE COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FORCE VIETNAM 1971-1972, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR DONALD DUNSTAN AC KBE CB ON THE 15THOCTOBER 2006.
The above statement repeated in the Vietnamese language
Base top tier
REMEMBRANCE
Right Pedestal:
RAN, ARMY, RAAF
MATESHIP
Condition Excellent
Maintained by Adelaide City Council, RSL, Vietnam Veterans' Association, Vietnam Veterans' Federation, Vietnamese Veterans' Association.