Canberra, Australia – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial alongside Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston.
Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Taniela Fusimālohi, also paid his respects as the nations remembered the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.
As the sun set over the memorial, the haunting notes of a lone piper echoed through the air—a tradition of remembrance in the Australian military since the 1920s.
The walls of the memorial bear the Role of Honour, inscribed with the names of 103,096 Australian soldiers who have fallen in service across 34 conflicts and peacekeeping missions since 1860.
The ceremony also saw US Army Pacific Commanding General, General Ronald Clarke, lay a wreath—a fitting tribute to the enduring partnership between Tonga, Australia, and the United States.
From the battlefields of World War II to recent operations in the Middle East, the three nations have stood together in defence of peace and freedom.
This act of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the bonds forged through shared struggle and the enduring importance of honouring those who have given their lives for a safer world.
Lest we forget.
