The bravery and sacrifice of the veterans of Operation TAMAR, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda, was commemorated on Saturday 22nd February in a service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial, ANZAC Avenue Canberra, addressed by Governor-General David Hurley The Meritorious Unit Citation Warrant was presented to each service chief on behalf of the 14 Royal Australian Navy, 629 Australian Army and 44 Royal Australian Air Force personnel who served in the two Australian Service Contingents that comprised the Australian Medical Support Force to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanada (UNAMIR II), August 1994 to August 1995. Forward elements of the contingent risked their lives to rescue survivors of the Kibeho Massacre in April 1995, who were subsequently treated in the Australian-run hospital in Kigali. The Australians played a key role in bringing first world medical support to UN troops and Rwandan citizens following the genocide and civil war that tore the small country apart in 1994. Rwandan representatives were present to take part in the commemoration.
The Virtual War Memorial wishes to take this opportunity to honour the men and women of the two Australian Service Contingents. Included in their number was our own Colonel (ret) Steve Larkins OAM, who served on the Headquarters of the Second Contingent.
Steve White (Left) and Steve Larkins (Right)
