The courageous service of Australians in the Malayan campaign has been honoured today at a ceremony at Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Bruce Billson said. Seven veterans from the campaign and two war widows attended the ceremony, laying poppies and wreaths at the graves of some of their mates who fought alongside them during World War II, but never made it back home.

“Today, on day two of their six-day mission, the veteran party gathered to remember their fallen brothers-in-arms who fought with courage and endurance in one of the most costly battles for Australia during the War in the Pacific,” Mr Billson said.

“They also remembered fellow prisoners of war, who worked in labour camps with them under harsh conditions, but did not make it. " For some of the veterans, today was the first time they had visited the final resting places of mates who fought side-by-side with them more than 65 years ago.” Mr Billson said more than 2500 Australians were buried at Kranji or remembered on the Memorial to the Missing.

“The Memorial to the Missing, known as the Singapore Memorial, stands within the Kranji War Cemetery and bears the names of more than 24,000 missing of the Commonwealth land and air forces who died during World War II and have no known grave,” he said.

“Those of the land forces died during the campaigns in Malaya and Indonesia or in subsequent captivity, many during the construction of the Thai-Burma railway, or at sea while being transported into captivity elsewhere.” Mr Billson said the veteran party was in Singapore as part of a commemorative mission to honour Australia’s involvement in the Malayan campaign.

“On 4 September, the veteran party will attend the unveiling of a new Australian memorial at Parit Sulong in Malaysia, dedicated to those who fought, died and risked their lives at Muar, Bakri and Parit Sulong. “As a nation we are forever grateful for the courage and bravery of our past and present servicemen and women. We will remember them and their place in our history.”