Australian War Memorial amends Ben Roberts-Smith display after shock arrest as veterans hand medals in to Qld MP

The Australian War Memorial has updated its display on Ben Roberts-Smith following his arrest over alleged war crimes. Police have charged Mr Roberts-Smith with five counts of the war crime of murder, including one of jointly commissioning a murder, and three of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a murder. The former SAS corporal’s uniform, medals and combat helmet he wore in Afghanistan remain on display in the War Memorial’s Hall of Valour - reserved for recipients of the Victoria Cross. The text accompanying the display has since been updated by staff to include the following: “In April 2026, Roberts-Smith was charged with five counts of the war crime of murder. The legal process is ongoing.” Matt Anderson, the director of the Australian War Memorial, told media the museum remained committed to keeping the public informed. He also stressed the principle of the presumption of innocence still remained. “The memorial’s commitment throughout this entire process … has been to ensure that the panel in the galleries is up to date and covers the facts,” Anderson said, per reports by Guardian Australia. “The most important thing all of us can do now is allow justice to take its course. “There’s nothing I am going to say or do today or at any stage in the Australian War Memorial that will influence or impact on the opportunities of a fair trial. It comes as Queensland MP Phillip Thompson took to social media to reveal he had been given the medals of at least two veterans - one of whom urged him to take them with him to Canberra. “Today my heart is bloody broken into a thousand pieces,” the Liberal National Party MP said. “What sits in front of me are not just medals. “They are years of service, sacrifice, mateship & moments most will never fully understand. “They represent those who answered the call, who carried the weight of this country on their shoulders & who lived with the consequences long after the uniform came off. “These are not political talking points. This is human. This is real. “This is the hurt being carried by people who gave everything & are now left wondering where they stand in the country they served.” Mr Thompson said the “pain in the notes kills me” and portrayed a loss of trust and a “sense of betrayal”. The Herbert MP enlisted in the ADF at 17, and served in East Timor and Afghanistan, and was injured in an IED attack, In one handwritten note accompanying the medals, which was posted to Mr Thompson’s social media, the recipient referred to losing “any trust I had in my government”. “I feel my service and my father’s service was for nothing,” it continued. It comes after another serviceman penned a letter to Queensland MP Bob Katter requesting he also return his medals to Canberra, according to a social media post. “Bob, give my medals back to Canberra. I no longer want them after seeing the way they treat veterans,” the letter read. The medals included an Australian Active Service Medal, the Defence Force Service Medal, the International Force East Timor Medal, the National Medal and an Australian Defence Medal. It was unclear if the letter had been signed. Mr Roberts-Smith’s arrest comes years after his failed defamation action against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, which first reported allegations of war crimes.