NZ Forces On Rememberance Day 1999 - East Timor

New Zealand Defence Force - Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

REMEMBERANCE DAY 1999 - EAST TIMOR

November 11th, 1999. As the mist rolled in and the rain fell, 150 troops from eight nations gathered in a non-descript spot in the hills inland from Dili in East Timor. The site was the memorial to the men of the Australian 2nd Independent Company from the Australian Commando Battalion who served on the island of Timor during in 1942. Those who came did so to pay tribute to all those who have died in the service of their country for the cause of peace and stability.

The commander of the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET), Major General Peter Cosgrove from Australia, spoke of the symbol that the memorial represented, “A place of soldiers, a place where the work and courage of soldiers had found expression.” Major General Cosgrove also spoke of the work of the soldiers of the multi-national force in East Timor, of service and of duty. “In this place of old soldiers do you think they would approve of our presence and the work we are doing? I think they would. May they rest in peace”.

Also present at the service was an elderly Timorese man who had fought with the Australians in 1942 and the deputy leader of the CNRT (resistance). The brief service concluded with the laying of wreaths and the playing of last post.

Story by Captain Darren Beck, New Zealand Defence Force Media Support Unit, Dili. Image links below...

New Zealand Forces In Dili, East Timor: Image 1.NZDF

New Zealand Forces In Dili, East Timor: Image 2.NZDF

New Zealand Forces In Dili, East Timor: Image 3.NZDF

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