Medals honour Vietnam Vet
“I first met Helen a couple of years ago when I was guest speaker at the local Probus club,” Adam recalled.
“I’m an East Timor and Iraq veteran and run wellbeing programs for veterans and their families.
“About 18 months ago we caught up again at the Warrnambool RSL when Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove paid a special visit,” Adam recalled.
“During our chat Helen mentioned all her husband’s medals and how she would love to one day have some replicas that could all be joined together and displayed.
“So that got the ball rolling – and I think the end result is pretty special. It’s a wonderful tribute to a highly decorated career.”
Peter Raw’s Air Force career was long and distinguished.
He enlisted in August 1941 in the Royal Australian Air Force and was posted to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in January the following year to undertake flying training.
He attained his pilot’s brevet and was commissioned as a pilot officer in December.
He then underwent training for conversion to Liberator bombers in the Middle East during the first half of 1944.
By July that year he flew in operations from Italy to Hungary, Yugoslavia and Romania - taking part in three missions to airdrop supplies to the insurgents.
He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Polish’s Cross of Valour in February 1945.
Peter and Helen (Hammond) married in 1958.
Eight years later Peter was promoted to Wing Commander and in May 1966, when an Australian task force was sent to the Republic of Vietnam, he went as air support commander to coordinate helicopter operations undertaken for Australia’s two army battalions.
He commanded the entire RAAF contingent based at Vung Tau, and was also deputy commander of all RAAF forces in Vietnam.
He returned to Australia in April 1967, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and retired in 1978.
“During our early married years, we lived on several Air Force bases around Australia, along with two overseas postings,” Helen recalled.
“We have two wonderful children, Josephine and Timothy.
“Peter always said I had the most important job – I was the chief of domestic staff.
“My four brothers all fought in World War 2 and three uncles were killed in World War 1. There’s a strong military background in my family.”
Local military historian and Vietnam Veteran Doug Heazlewood spoke highly of his fellow serviceman.
“I knew Peter when he was a senior Air Force Officer in Vietnam,” Doug recalled.
“He was a wonderful pilot and flew bombers across hostile territory in Europe; from Italy across Germany and Holland to drop supplies to the Polish troops, it was dangerous but he was highly skilled and very well respected.
“He had a highly decorated career and these medals reflect that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a bigger collection honouring one man’s service.”
After surviving the many challenges of war, and adjusting to life after, tragically Peter died of thyroid cancer at the age of 66.
Helen returned to her hometown of Warrnambool around 25 years ago.
Today, her son lives in Melbourne and daughter in Bendigo – but she is content living in Warrnambool and “wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“This is a lovely place for my children to holiday and I have absolutely no regrets about returning here.
“I was the youngest in a family of seven and unfortunately all my siblings are now gone; but I’ve made lots of wonderful friends and this town is home for me.
“I will have a chat with my children and together we will decide what’s best to do with these medals. No matter where they are displayed, it’s something I’m very proud of.”
See Newspaper link to warrnambool weekly
Submitted 16 June 2025
by David Flint
