World War II veteran reflects on ANZAC Day

The former pilot, residing at Mercy Place Rice Village in Victoria, was involved in the infamous Battle of Normandy, also known as D-Day, where the Allies successfully liberated part of Europe from German military occupation.

Through his service during World War II, Mr Concannon made 35 flights into enemy territory and contributed to a successful end of the war.

On June 6, 1944, Mr Cancannon and 24 others in his flight squad flew over the English Channel to bomb along the Normandy coastline while 150,000 Allied forces invaded Europe.

“You didn’t really think about it too much to be honest,” Mr Concannon says.

“We all had a job to do and were all focused on hanging in there for a victory.

“We never thought about an enemy victory – it wasn’t even an option for us.”

Mr Concannon still has his RAAF log book, showcasing his service in World War II.

His service to Australia resulted in a Distinguished Flying Cross medal for valour, courage and devotion.

Before Mr Concannon returned home from the war, he was training pilots for the war efforts.

Following his service, he returned to Meredith in Victoria and ran a farm for over three decades.

Now based at Mercy Place Rive Village in Geelong, Mr Concannon wears his medals to every ANZAC Day service since he became a resident in 2017.

He lays a wreath in memory of his fellow ex-servicemen and women.