News

Rochester veteran receives recognition

By Lua Ikenasio

May 11, 2026

Rochester RSL members Cameron Lovering, Kris Stocker and Jonah Gruner with Bill Hourigan. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Rochester resident William “Bill” Hourigan left the Australian Army 74 years ago, but only now has his service finally been formally recognised.

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At just 18 years old, Mr Hourigan enlisted in the army in November 1946, as the world was emerging from the devastation of World War II.

Soon after joining, he was deployed with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, serving in Japan from 1946 to 1952.

Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan was left devastated, and it was the role of the BCOF to help maintain peace and assist with recovery efforts following the war.

Mr Hourigan was one of many young servicemen sent into the aftermath of the nuclear attacks, helping with clean-up efforts and guarding Japanese prisoners of war.

Despite his service, Mr Hourigan had never received formal recognition.

REDHS volunteer Marie Linder with Bill Hourigan. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

That changed following a recent Anzac Day service for Rochester Elmore and District Health Service aged care residents, where Mr Hourigan shared his story with REDHS volunteer Marie Linder.

“Being a volunteer, I have that time to be able to talk to (residents),” Ms Linder said.

“I was very lucky. Very lucky that I was the one he chose to open up to.”

After hearing his story, Ms Linder implored members of the Rochester RSL to meet Mr Hourigan.

The RSL immediately contacted the Department of Defence to inquire about his service history and entitlements.

Although the process can often take years, the RSL’s request was answered in less than two weeks.

As a result of those who took the time to listen to Mr Hourigan’s story, a special ceremony was held on Friday, May 8, to recognise him.

Ms Linder and Rochester RSL member Cade Kindness had the honour of presenting Mr Hourigan with the Australian Active Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.

Bill Hourigan receives his medals from Marie Linder and Cade Kindness. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Mr Kindness said identifying and recognising veterans remained an ongoing challenge for service organisations.

“It’s a real challenge for us to get among the people and find out who are the veterans and who needs to potentially be supported,” he said.

“There’s just a disconnect. It’s only when people self-present or family or friends say, ‘hey, here’s a veteran’, and sometimes veterans don’t want to continue that association.”

Newly-recognised veteran Bill Hourigan. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Mr Kindness said recognising all service was important, regardless of the role.

“It’s important that all service is acknowledged, regardless of whether it was associated with a war or whatever,” he said.

“That’s the ongoing problem that we have with a lot of our veterans who didn’t see operational service ... they feel that their service is not worthy of recognition and they’re really reluctant.”

Following the ceremony, attendees congratulated Mr Hourigan on the milestone and shared morning tea with him.

The RSL also displayed Mr Hourigan’s original enlistment documents, alongside photographs from the BCOF’s time in Japan.