Key Dates in Australia's Military History: 1991–1995

Sydney War cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney.
(Department of Veterans’ Affairs)

1991–94

Australia provides an Army communications unit to assist during the referendum among the Sahawri people of the Western Sahara (MINURSO).

1992–93

Australian service personnel join the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) overseeing the transition to peace in that country and the holding of elections

The Unknown Australian Soldier begins his long journey home from France, 5 November 1993.
(Department of Defence)

1992–95

Australians join the United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) and the Unified Taskforce (UNTAF) to support the delivery of humanitarian aid.

February 1992

An official pilgrimage to Banka Island commemorates the 1942 massacre of 21 members of the AANS. 3 October 1992 Dedication of the Australian Vietnam Veterans’ National Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, by Prime Minister Paul Keating.

3 October 1992

Vietnam Veterans Memorial unvielled

August 1993

A reflective moment during the Return to the Western Front Pilgrimage at a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in France, September 1993.
(Department of Veterans’ Affairs)

‘Return to the Western Front’ Pilgrimage takes World War I veteran representatives to France and Belgium to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1918 Australian victories in France.

11 November 1993

Entombment at the Australian War Memorial of the remains of an Unknown soldier from a World War I cemetery in France.

1994

Australian medical personnel and protection units join the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR)

1994

Australia provides the force commander and other support to the South Pacific Peace-Keeping Force (SPPKF) on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.

An Australian soldier assists with the delivery of humanitarian aid in Somalia, 1992–1993.
(Department of Defence)

1995

Australia Remembers, 1945–1995’: a year of official commemorative activities to honour and remember those who served Australia during World War 2 culminates in veteran’s marches in capital cities to mark the 50th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. Official pilgrimages in May to North Africa, Greece and Crete, London and Paris mark the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe. In June, an ‘Up North’ official pilgrimage takes veteran representatives to Papua New Guinea to commemorate the significant battles of the New Guinea campaigns. ‘The Last Campaign’ Pilgrimage takes veteran representatives to Borneo to commemorate the battles on Tarakan, Balikapan and Labuan, and the Sandakan death marches.

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