This year marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War, and to ensure it's significance is not clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, a special digital collection of stories is being launched online by the NSW Government's War Memorial Register.
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Veterans and their families are encouraged to share their stories of service, as part of the month-long campaign to remember and appreciate the people who contributed to the Victory in the Pacific (VP Day) that brought about the end of WWII.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said One Month to Remember VP Day will ensure the anniversary was not overlooked during the current pandemic.
"We are living through a once in a lifetime pandemic right now and our nation also lived through a horrible conflict no generation should ever experience again," Mr Lee said.
"Second World War veterans are still living with us today and this campaign is about ensuring we capture their stories to tell future generations."
"We must not let COVID-19 get in the way of honouring their service to our nation, and by encouraging people to share their stories digitally we will create a lasting legacy."
The NSW Government is compiling a digital stories catalogue from WWII veterans and widows which is available as an online educational resource for schools and universities.
"Everyone is also encouraged to share their stories, pictures and videos on social media for this special 75th anniversary tribute using the hashtag #VeteranStory75years," Mr Lee said.
"These stories are precious and special and they should never be forgotten."
"Revealing their war experiences is a special privilege we are so grateful for and our online collection of stories will eternalise their memories for future generations so we don't forget their sacrifice."
Creating a lasting legacy
James 'Jim' Ayling joined the Navy at 18 and after training drills in seamanship and gunnery, he was posted to the destroyer HMAS Nepal to patrol the Indian Ocean.
"It was very fast, very heavily armed and very uncomfortable," Mr Ayling said.
"We slept in hammocks because there wasn't enough room for bunks. In the tropics it was so hot we would sleep on lockers or on the deck."
Bobby Squire was a driver and mechanic with the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and was allocated her own Rolls Royce for transporting admirals and generals.
"I turned up and asked if they were looking for someone who could drive because my family had joined and I wanted to join as well," Mrs Squire said.
The AWAS was tasked to recruit as many women as possible with a range of skills who could replace men being mobilised for overseas duty.
VP Day is on 15 August and commemorates the end of WWII, which claimed the lives of more than 27,000 Australians and wounded a further 23,000.
The digital catalogue will be available and continually updated over the coming months at: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/nsw-stories/theme/75th-anniversary-stories
