In November 2025, Dennis Ruthenberg quietly walked into the Bundaberg RSL Veterans Support Centre with his wife, holding a single sheet of paper. Printed on it was a small black-and-white photograph of his father, Leslie Conlin Ruthenberg, along with a service number.
A neighbour had helped Dennis locate and print the image from the National Archives of Australia. Dennis explained that his father had passed away some years earlier. Speaking gently, almost apologetically, he said he didn’t really know where to start — he simply wanted to learn more about the man his father had been in uniform.
What Dennis did know was this: his father had served as a Corporal in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. Beyond that, the details were unclear — and that was exactly what Dennis had come to discover.
For the team at the Veterans Support Centre, this was new territory. We had helped many veterans apply for their own service records and medals, but assisting family members to uncover the history of a deceased veteran was something different.
Still, we began the journey together.
Searching for a World War II Service Record
The process of retrieving historical military records can take time. Dennis needed to obtain his father’s death certificate and provide proof that he was Leslie’s son, along with certified copies of his own identification.
There were application forms, waiting periods, and several visits and phone calls along the way.
As the paperwork slowly came together, the Christmas shutdown approached and government departments began closing for the holidays. Despite the delays and frustrations, Dennis remained patient. His goal was simple — to better understand his father’s service.
Eventually, the good news arrived.
Dennis received a Statement of Service outlining Leslie’s enlistment, postings, promotions, honours, awards and discharge. There it was in black and white:
Corporal Leslie Conlin Ruthenberg
Royal Australian Air Force
World War II
It was more than a document. It was a timeline of a young man’s commitment and service to his country during one of history’s most significant conflicts.
From there, we arranged for an official set of Leslie’s service medals to be issued.
Soon after, another parcel arrived — a USB containing Leslie’s full personal service record. Inside were pages of history: training details, postings, medical entries and official correspondence documenting his time in uniform.
The Day the WWII Medals Arrived
On 23 February 2026, the final piece of the journey arrived — the medals.
It was one of those rare phone calls you look forward to making.
I rang Dennis and simply said,
“They’re here.”
He came in as soon as he could.
When Dennis arrived, I first handed him the USB and a printed copy of his father’s service history — something he hadn’t expected. Slowly, he turned the pages, absorbing the details of his father’s time as a Corporal in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.
The emotion was visible — pride, reflection, perhaps a little sadness — but mostly pride.
Then came the medals.
Dennis held them gently, almost reverently. After a moment he looked up and asked,
“Would you mind pinning them on so we can take a photo?”
So I did.
Carrying a Father’s Legacy Forward
Standing there wearing his father’s medals, Dennis wasn’t simply wearing pieces of metal and ribbon.
He was carrying his father’s story.
His father’s service.
His father’s legacy.
In that moment, the waiting, the paperwork and the delays faded away.
What remained was something deeply meaningful — a connection between father and son across generations.
Dennis had come searching for answers about his father’s military history. What he discovered was a deeper understanding of the man behind the uniform.
It was more than the delivery of records and medals.
It was the restoration of a story.
And sometimes, that is the greatest honour of all.
Written by Jackie Stemm
Wellbeing Advocate
Bundaberg RSL Sub Branch
