In 1919 the Repatriation Department was created by the Australian government to facilitate the repatriation of our servicemen and women, many of whom bore the physical and psychological scars of war. the department provided war pensions, a soldier settlement scheme and other vital services such as healthcare, education, housing and official commemorations. General John Monash was responsible for demobilisation from the Western Front and Egypt. In spite of the challenges of dealing with the issues of morale and the risks of the 1919 influenza pandemic, he accomplished the task in ten months.

A century later, the role of providing essential support to Australian servicemen and women, and their families, is now carried out by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The centenary of the vital task of repatriation is celebrated with the above 2019 $2 coin.

“Lest We Forget”