Francis Sonny Graham Unmeopa

Francis Sonny Graham Unmeopa

Eastern Torres Strait of the Meriam Le (people) and Erubam Le

Private
Army Reserve 1983-1989, 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment

Able Seaman
Royal Australian Navy 1989-1993, DE50 HMAS SWAN, HMAS LABUAN, IMFOR Squadron, HMAS ALBATROSS

Private
Australian Regular Army 2000-2004, Royal Australian Regiment

Medals
Commendation for Distinguished Service
Australian Active Service Medal , (East Timor, ICAT, Iraq 2003),
Iraq Campaign Medal
Australian Service Medal (CT/SR)
Australian Defence Medal
UN Medal (UNTAET)
Awarded a Commanding Officers Commendation in the RAN and the ICB Infantry Combat Badge

My bloodline comes from the Seden and Doolah family who are Samsep Le. Our sub clan is Samsep and our Lubabat (totems) are Beizam (Tiger Shark), Korseimer (the moth), the Deumer (Torres Strait pigeon) and the Sarp (the driftwood). We are saltwater people.

‘I do not see colour, creed or religion. I believe we are all part of some tribe. We shift and move within these tribes during the course of our lives. The ADF is a tribe, the army is the sub clan, the battalion a family and within that sphere I existed with my fellow soldiers. Some people are theoretical, some are people of the land and some…some are simply those who were born to step forward of the line. I am proud to have stepped forward of the line and hope that I have represented the Torres Straits and my bloodline with honour.’ – Francis Sonny Graham Unmeopa

Francis Sonny Graham Unmeopa

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