News
Australian Peacekeeping Veteran Honoured - 29 May 2009
On the 12th of November 1974, Sergeant Ian Ward, a member of the New South Wales Police Force, who had been seconded to the then Australian Commonwealth Police (later the AFP), for 12 months service with the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), died as a result of a land-mind explosion whilst traveling in a Land Rover. He and Sergeant John Wolcott, the vehicle observer also on secondment from the NSW Police, were conveying four Turkish refugees from the Greek Cypriot sector to the Turkish sector. One of the refugees was killed and three were seriously injured. The Land Rover was completely destroyed. Sergeant John Wolcott survived the explosion; however he received serious facial and other injuries.
Sergeant Ward had been in Cyprus for five days.
Following his death, Sergeant Ward was awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. This medal is awarded posthumously by the United Nations to members of peacekeeping operations who have lost their lives during service. It is named after the deceased and former Scandinavian Secretary General of the United Nations.
On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, the 29th of May, the NSW Police College were loaned Sergeant Wards' medal. Due to its national significance, the AFP Museum are the current custodians of the late Sergeant Ward's medal and have entrusted its safekeeping with the NSW Police College for the next five years.
Handover of the Late Sergeant Ian Wards' Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.
Senior Sergeant Mark Elm of the NSW Police College (left), receives the medal from Sergeant Dale Cooper, RFD, of the Australian Federal Police.
In addition to the NSW Police College receiving the medal, a new display was added to the College, "Peacekeepers". The display coordinated by Project Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Elm, outlines the history and personal experiences of Australia's police peacekeepers. It features artifacts collected from Australian police peacekeepers who have served in Cyprus, the Middle East and Timor-Leste.
Acting National Manager of the Australian Federal Police International Deployment Group, Commander Shane Connelly, said the ceremony recognises the significant contribution and sacrifice police make to international peace operations.
The official opening of the Peacekeeper Display at the NSW Police College. On the left is the NSW Minister for Police, The Hon. Steve Whan MP. On the right is NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, APM.
In attendance at both the medal handover and the opening of the Peacekeeper Display were of representatives of the Australian Defence Force, the Untied Nations Information Centre, the Senate, Parliamentarians of the Commonwealth of Australia and New South Wales. The Mayor of Goulburn mingled was also present along with with senior AFP, NSW Police, Victoria Police officials and members of the United Nations Police Association of Australia, (UNPAA), the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association (APPVA), the Australian Bravery Association, the National Executive of the RSL and the NSW Police Force Sub Branch of the RSL.