Stories Of Valour

Mackay Commemorates Victory In The Pacific

By Hannah McNamara

The 15th of August seems like just another day to most, but for some, it’s a day that represents the end of Second World War, and the beginning of peace.

Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day is celebrated each year on this date to commemorate Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, which was made the day prior, on August 14, in 1945.

For Aussies, it meant the Second World War was over.

Though the physical battle had finally come to an end, the gruelling aftermath of such events remained in the minds of those who gave it all for the flag.

The Mackay community gathered at Jubilee Park last Friday to celebrate, commemorate and mourn those who sacrificed their lives.

Long-time Mackay resident and local historian Col Benson, from Mackay RSL Sub Branch, read a moving speech from Kerry Watkins – a third-generation veteran who shared the story of her family’s strength and service.

“My grandfather, Morgan Watkin… enlisted in the First AIF in 1916… was wounded in France and promoted to corporal. After the war, he married my grandmother and later, as war clouds gathered again, re-enlisted in 1939… he served in Egypt, Greece and Crete, where he was captured and held as a POW before being released in 1945.”

Her father, too, enlisted young.

“My father enlisted in 1941 at the age of 18… narrowly avoided being caught in the Cowra breakout in 1944… trained for service in New Guinea, but the war ended after the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“Dad later served in Korea… and went on to serve in Vietnam, where he earned the respect of many younger soldiers but came home a broken man, haunted by nightmares.

“There was no help and no support back then… PTSD wasn’t recognised.”

Now Kerry, and the greater veterans community, hope the future generations will carry on the legacy.

“We need to teach our children and grandchildren about our proud history, so they have an understanding of why they enjoy the freedoms they do today.”

From stories of service spanning generations, the morning also turned to honouring one man’s lifetime of dedication — the birthday of local veteran Louis Burley.

“He comes from a family where everyone served except his mum… seven siblings in the services and an aunt who was a nurse,” said son Steve Burley.

“I don’t think young people today appreciate what his generation went through… but it’s nice to see him recognised with these awards.”

As the crowd reflected on individual stories, Mayor Greg Williamson reminded all of the broader history that shaped them.

“The Pacific War started on the 7th of December 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed… Just a matter of two months later, Singapore fell… and a couple of days after that, 240 Japanese bombers let loose on Darwin, killing almost 250 people… the first of 187 raids that happened in Northern Australia.

“They were desperate times… but most Australians didn’t know about them because the government hushed it up for reasons of public panic.”

“Today… we need to keep reminding young Australians that we came very, very close to being an occupied country.

“Lots of lives were lost, that’s what we commemorate, but we also commemorate the valour of communities like ours who stood fast and did what they had to do for the war effort.

“To all those who lost their lives, that’s what we’re doing here today… saying thank you for the service that kept us a free society."

In the quiet stillness of Jubilee Park, those words echoed as the community stood united in remembrance.

“Lest we forget.”

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The Mackay community gathered at Jubilee Park on August 15 to mark VP Day, honouring the end of World War II and remembering the sacrifices and service of veterans across generations. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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