Anzac Portal: Australia's military history and veterans' stories

Soldiers climb a ladder to board a helicopter

Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day

On 31 August each year Australia recognises service in the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.

World War I 1914 to 1918

Soldiers standing near a gun with some loading and operating the gun.

World War II 1939 to 1945

Korean War 1950 to 1953

Photograph of 3RAR on the deck of a US troopship

Vietnam War 1962 to 1975

A male soldier standing in front of a tank.

Commemorating Australian service in Afghanistan 2001–2021 poster tile

Australian service in Afghanistan poster

This new poster commemorates Australian service in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations, including the war in Afghanistan and postwar conflicts.

Print the poster

AFGHAN25 national service

To mark the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan, DVA is holding a national commemorative service in Canberra on 11 October 2026.

Register to attend

Veteran stories

Listen to oral histories

We gather stories of ordinary Australians who've had extraordinary experiences serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

Barry Davis’s story

Barry served on HMAS Hobart. He recalled training, deployments to Vietnam, Manus, the Indian Ocean and Iran.

Arthur Law’s story

Arthur served in Vietnam in 1965 with 1RAR. He recalled the differences between Australian and US tactics and being wounded.

Al Gordon Bridges’s story

Al served in Vietnam with No 9 Squadron, RAAF. He recalled flying helicopters, evacuating troops and his PTSD.

Biography

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A group of men in military dress walking along a road in a tropical village, some holding wea[pms, some are wearing sandals.

Rayene (Ray) Simpson VC DCM

Ray was a decorated soldier, serving in 4 conflicts. Called ‘fearless’, he didn’t always follow the rules.

Short film

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Lone Pine: For evermore …

This short film describes the work of Commonwealth military personnel who found and buried war dead at Gallipoli.

Resources

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We've produced over 100 free resources on Australia's military and service history. Many are designed for teachers and students.

Vietnam War recognition of service postcard

Shifting Tides: Australia and the Pacific in the Second World War

Vietnam: our war - our peace

Women in the Second World War: In Their Own Words