Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] Walter Williams is a World War II veteran and 2021recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to veterans and their families. At age 17, Mr Williams gained permission to join the permanent Army and was posted to the Royal Military College in Duntroon. After much hard work and training, Mr Williams earned his place in the 8th infantry battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. In December 1941, Mr Williams sailed into Singapore Harbour. Pearl Harbour had just been attacked and Mr Williams was among the reinforcements sent to Malay. Taken as a prisoner of war during the fall of Singapore, Mr Williams was interned at the Changi prison camp before being sent to work on the Burma Railway. Mr Williams would go on to survive a ship sinking and the US air raids of Japan.

Over the last few decades, Mr Williams has been an active member of the Pittwater sub-branch of RSL Australia in Mackellar. Mr Williams has served in multiple positions in the branch, including as president from 1992 to 2002. Mr Williams's life of service is truly inspiring. I congratulate him on his well-deserved Queen's Birthday Honour.