Welcome to the Darwin Defenders web site
The Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Charter
The politicians of the day could take little pride in the way they organised the defence of Darwin in World War 2. During the War strict censorship was imposed so that the people of Australia knew virtually nothing about the enemy attacks and how poorly we were equipped to meet them. Then when the war ended, to cover up their duplicity, they had all Darwin documentation stamped “Not to be released until 1995”.
The teaching of Australian history was deleted from the schools curriculum, and the end result was that we had several generations of Australians who did not even know that Darwin had been bombed, not once, but 64 times.
Since its incorporation in 1999, Darwin Defenders 1942-45 has attracted hundreds of members through an official newsletter that aims to overcome the results of 53 years of government censorship and discrimination against Darwin Veterans, and to set the record straight by publishing their stories before they are lost forever.
Darwin Defenders across the Nation have succeeded in organising official ceremonies to commemorate the Bombing of Darwin around Australia and to honour all those Australians who armed themselves to defend their country and their people against attacks from forceful enemies.
The Charter for Darwin Defenders 1942-1945 reads:
We are those who in the early months of 1942 endured the bombing, the food and material shortages of the fixed defences at Darwin.
We are those who in the later months were part of a large striking force, denying the enemy the use of safe shipping lanes and harbours.
Many of the records of the first 2-3 months were lost, were never kept or were deliberately destroyed. The years left to us are few, as are our numbers.
Our aims and objectives are:
1. That we ensure that the people of Australia will never forget those who left their friends, families and all that was dear to them, endured hardships and dangers, and were prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect their country when Australia was attacked by the Japanese in 1942.
2. That we do everything we can to reinstate the teaching of Australian history in our schools, so that those who come after us will understand that the preservation of our way of life and the heritage of our great country have not been achieved without sacrifice by those who have gone before us.
3. That the membership not be restricted to Darwin veterans but be extended to include other veterans, family and friends of veterans and other interested persons.
4. That annual memorial services be held at appropriate places on or about the 19th of February and that schools and the general public be invited to participate.
LEST WE FORGET.
Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc is an association for veterans, their families and friends. It aims to:
- recognise those who were prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect Australia from invasion
- campaign for the teaching of Australian history in schools
- hold annual memorial services that are open to schools and the general public
- document the history of Australia’s defence during World War II
Darwin Defenders 1942-45 is an incorporated society (Inc. A0038476E) formed in mid-1999.
The society’s patron is the Right Honourable Sir Zelman Cowen AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC, DCL, former Governor-General of Australia. Sir Zelman served in the Royal Australian Navy during the first air raids on Darwin in World War II.
Membership of Darwin Defenders is open to civilians and veterans who were in northern Australia during World War II. Our members also include other veterans, family and friends, and other interested persons.
Members receive a lapel badge upon joining. A printed newsletter is published quarterly in June, September, December, March. Members are welcome to contribute stories to the newsletter.