Daphne Dunne

Today we remember Daphne Dunne, who learned of the death of her husband, Albert Chowne, Victoria Cross recipient, on her 22nd birthday. Albert was killed in action in New Guinea. Daphne never forgot the moment she saw his grave for the first time.

Daphne Dunne — It was very, very emotional, but I feel a much better person for doing it.

Daphne Dunne audio file (MP4 23.89 MB)

Daphne Dunne audio script

75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War

Audio actuality

“Fellow Citizens, the War is over” — (The Hon J B Chifley, Prime Minister of Australia)

On the 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War, Australia remembers Daphne Dunne, who learned of the death of her husband, Albert Chowne, on her 22nd birthday.

Albert was killed in an action in New Guinea, which earned him a Victoria Cross for bravery.

Daphne never forgot the impact of seeing his grave for the first time…

Daphne Dunne

It was a very, very simple grave. It was just something that I have always wanted to see, and I’ve been in limbo, cause when you’re told of somebody dying, at least you see a coffin, you go to a cemetery. But that never happened — it was just something that you were told. And sometimes you didn’t believe it, you thought that he might come marching home, might’ve lost his memory or something like that. So now I feel as though I have completed what I wanted to see. I mean, it takes you back all that time, and how you were when you were sweethearts, and how you felt getting married. It was very, very emotional, but I feel a much better person for doing it.

Saturday, August 15 marks the 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War. Let’s pay our respects to that amazing generation of Australians.

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