The Nias Nine II

I received this email from Ted Harris, Webmaster of Digger History, as did every MP and Senator in Federal Parliament.

Senators, MPs, Gentlemen, Ladies, Members of the Media, The recent unseemly squabble over medals for 9 of Australia’s finest left me cold. I fully agree that the RSL are correct in opposing BRAVERY medals for people accidentally killed. I support the PMs ‘band-aid” solution of making military personnel eligible for the “Humanitarian Award” but that is NOT ENOUGH. It does not recognise the sacrifice. It is my contention that the NZers, Kiwis, call them what you will have a much BETTER solution and have had it since just after WW2 and applied to WW2 KIAs. (Gees I hate giving the Kiwis a wrap). They still have it, I believe. They have the “New Zealand Memorial Cross”. It was originally designed for only war deaths (accidental or in action) but was later expanded to include Service personnel killed on Peace-keeping Operations. The Memorial Cross was issued in the name of the deceased but awarded to his mother, AND if he was married, another identical Memorial Cross was awarded to his wife. (Photo below) Instituted: 12 September 1947 by King George VI. Awarded to the next-of-kin of NZ service personnel killed on active service (since 1995, this includes deaths during peace-keeping operations). Award is made to the nearest female relative – if there is both a mother and a wife 2 Crosses are awarded. The NZ Memorial Cross I hereby suggest that Australia adopt a Memorial Cross as soon as reasonable procedures allow. It should be part of the Australian Awards system. It should be awarded in the name of ANY Australian service person on active duty, accidentally killed at work, on humanitarian missions and on Peacekeeping missions. It should not apply to Service personnel killed in accidents away from work. It should not apply to former Service personnel who died after service. The fact that death is required to qualify would keep the possibility of “eligibility creep” at bay. I would like to see back-dated to 1 Jan 2001 and no further. I would appreciate feedback.

Ted Harris is Webmaster of the Digger History Group If you have any interest in military history then you should visit. The site is so comprehensive it rivals the Australian War Memorial as a source of information. Ted always ends his emails with this quote.

If you can read this, thank a Teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

I like it! Even though Australia has never issued a medal, at least to my knowledge, we did acknowledge the supreme sacrifice in World War 1 by issueing the poorly named Death Plaque to next of kin (NOK) of service people killed during the war. WW1 Death Plaque Maybe there is a case for Ted’s idea, although, like Ted, I am loath to afford the Kiwis merit.