A display honoring former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been modified following his recent arrest on accusations of war crimes. The Australian War Memorial’s director, Matt Anderson, indicated that updates to the display have occurred regularly since the allegations against Mr. Roberts-Smith surfaced.
Roberts-Smith, a highly decorated veteran of the Australian military, was charged on Tuesday with five counts of murder, classified as war crimes. This alteration to his display coincided with the unveiling of new sections of the memorial, part of a comprehensive $500 million redevelopment plan expected to be completed by 2028.
Director Anderson stated that the display panel adjacent to Roberts-Smith’s uniform is being revised to reflect the current facts of the case. He emphasized the memorial’s commitment to keeping information up to date as legal proceedings unfold. “The panel has been amended to include the latest developments in the case,” Anderson noted, adding that it is crucial to allow the justice system to function independently.
The updated display panel, reinstalled earlier today, now includes information about Roberts-Smith’s arrest: “In April 2026, Roberts-Smith was charged with five counts of the war crime of murder. The legal process is ongoing.” His uniform and medals will remain on exhibit.
Anderson reiterated that the memorial has consistently updated the panel to ensure transparency for visitors regarding the case’s status. “Regardless of the eventual truth, we will communicate it,” he remarked. He highlighted that Roberts-Smith’s inclusion in the Hall of Valour is based on his actions in Afghanistan on June 11, 2010.
As the memorial introduced its renovations, which include a new Anzac Hall and expanded exhibitions on the World War II bomber G for George, it faced some criticism. Detractors labeled the redevelopment as “wasteful” and “arrogant” when plans were initially disclosed in 2020. Former directors raised concerns that the project deviated from the memorial’s original purpose as a space for solemn reflection. However, the War Memorial’s leadership has consistently argued that the redevelopment is intended to better represent contemporary veterans.
Anderson pointed out that many veterans are being recognized for the first time in this expansion, which places a greater emphasis on women and individuals from diverse backgrounds. “There are 1,200 stories now presented in the galleries that have not been told before,” he stated, underlining the importance of acknowledging veterans as Anzac Day approaches.
In the redevelopment, the team aimed to blend new and historical elements cohesively. Project executive director Will Hitches mentioned that the gallery space has been expanded to approximately 7,000 square meters. He noted that the stone used in the renovations matches that of the original building, distinguishing new sections from older ones by the way they are cut.
Hitches expressed pride in seeing the culmination of the multi-year project, with only a few areas left to unveil. He believes that critics of the redevelopment’s cost will come to appreciate its value upon seeing the final results. “Half a billion dollars is a significant investment, but the outcomes justify it, and I think visitors will recognize that,” he asserted.
With the G for George bomber now reinstated, the Bomber Command section has been enriched to encompass the broader narrative of Australians who contributed to the war effort. Following its removal for construction, the iconic aircraft returned last year, drawing attention from passersby as it made its way back. The bomber executed 89 missions over Germany and occupied territories between 1942 and 1944, with no casualties among the 250 aircrew members who flew it, leading many to consider it a “lucky” aircraft.
Historian and curator Lachlan Grant remarked that despite its reputation for good fortune, G for George did not emerge from the war unscathed. “We aimed to showcase the story of each mission and highlight that it frequently returned with damage,” he explained.
