Last Friday, Thomas Forrester, Parkes' only surviving male World War II veteran, was presented with a medal by Deputy PM Michael McCormack acknowledging his service throughout WWII.
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Acknowledging the significance of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Department of Veterans' Affairs produced a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration that was made available to every living veteran Second World War.
While Australia can never repay the debt we owe almost one million Australians who served, this medallion and certificate are a small but meaningful way we can thank living veterans of the largest global conflict of the 20th century.
Thomas, who was born in Forbes on February 21, 1922, served approximately four years in the Australian Army during which time he was with the 2nd AIF in the 2/3 Australian Infantry Battalion and was in New Guinea on overseas active service for some 14 months.
Thomas joined the Australian Army in December 1941, and left in June 1946.
In attendance at the presentation were Parkes RSL Sub-branch secretary Paul Thomas, Parkes Sub-branch committee member Keith Woodlands and Forrester's daughter Narelle Sunderland along with McCormack.
Recently, Thomas and his wife Marjorie, residents of the Niola Aged Centre, celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary, an incredible achievement.
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