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Civilians on Special Missions - World War 1 and World War 2

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VEA ?

Introduction

During World War 1 and World War 2, certain civilians who were employed by the Commonwealth served outside Australia performing special missions.

What is a special mission

A special mission is a mission that in the opinion of the Repatriation Commission was of special assistance in the prosecution of the war. Only the Commission can make a decision on what constitutes a special mission.    

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What types of service are recognised

A person who was employed by the Commonwealth on a special mission outside Australia during World War 1 or World War 2 has operational service.

If during the period of hostilities that relates to World War 2 such a person incurred danger from hostile forces of the enemy in the course of carrying out a special mission, they also have qualifying service.     

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A special mission is defined in subsection 5C(1) to mean:

  • a mission that in the opinion of the Commission was of special assistance to the Commonwealth in the prosecution of a war to which the VEA applies.

Only the Repatriation Commission can make a decison on what constitutes a special mission.  Refer to Departmental Instruction C47/2002 for further information on Special Missions.

 

 

According to Section 179 of the VEA, the Commission is a body corporate under the name of Repatriation Commission.

 

 

A period of hostilities is defined in section 5B(1) of the VEA to mean:

  • World War 1 from its commencement on 4 August 1914 to 11 November 1918 (both included); or
  • World War 2 from its commencement on 3 September 1939 to 29 October 1945 (both included); or
  • the period of hostilities in respect of Korea from 27 June 1950 to 19 April 1956 (both included); or
  • the period of hostilities in respect of Malaya from 29 June 1950 to 31 August 1957 (both included); or
  • the period of hostilities in respect of war-like operations in operational areas from 31 July 1962 to 11 January 1973 (both included).

 

 

“enemy means

  • in relation to World War I or World War II - the naval, military or air forces, or any part of the naval, military or airforces, of a State at war with the Crown during that war; and
  • in relation to service in, or a period of hostilities in respect of, an operational area - the naval, military or air forces against which the Naval, Military or Air Forces of the Commonwealth were engaged in that operational area; and
  • persons assisting any of those forces.”