RETIRED RAAF warrant officer Thomas Lachlan “Lachie” Campbell has seven more reasons to join the Anzac parade in his hometown, Townsville, this month.
More than 70 years after US troops dropped atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, bringing an end to World War II, the 91-year-old has received service medals recognising his role as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan.
In February, RAAF Base Townsville Wing Commander Phil Godfrey presented Lachie with the Australian Service Medal 1943-45, Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Japan clasp, first, second and third clasp to the Defence Force Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal at a ceremony surrounded by family.
“The actions of the BCOF service in bringing peace and stability to the region are not a well-acknowledged aspect of World War II,” Wing Commander Godfrey told The Senior. “His contribution helped Japan become the place it is today.”
Legislative changes last year upheld a decades-long promise to extend access to health treatment under the Veterans’ Gold Card to BCOF personnel, including Lachie, who, in frail health, had maintained private health insurance to get the medical help he needed. His eligibility for service recognition followed.
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