Death of Denis Warner

Denis Warner

NOTED New Norfolk journalist Denis Warner has died in Melbourne, aged 94. He was a veteran war correspondent who also served in the Australian Army during World War 2. Born in 1917, Denis Ashton Warner was the son of Mr and Mrs H.A. Warner of Valleyfield. He was educated at Hutchins and started his journalistic career at the Mercury newspaper in Hobart before leaving for the Melbourne Herald in 1939. As Trooper Denis Warner he returned to New Norfolk in 1943 to stand for Federal Parliament in that year's election, unsuccessfully. In 1945 he married fellow Herald reporter Peggy Hicks.

After being discharged from the army in 1945 he served as a war correspondent at the Iwo Jima and Okinawa landings, and in the initial occupation of Japan. In May 1945 he was wounded in a kamikaze strike on the British aircraft carrier HMS Formidable. He later reported on the Korean and Vietnam wars and was twice honoured for his services to journalism.

Denis Warner OBE CMG is survived by his children Shelley, Nick and Annabel, and grandchildren. He is remembered today in obituaries in the nation's leading newspapers including:

• The Canberra Times: Correspondent with impeccable contacts
• Sydney Morning Herald: Journalist Denis Warner dies
• The Australian: Reporter led the way to Asia

A tribute has also been published by the Australian Defence Association, which includes a list of the many books written by Denis and Peggy Warner during their 65 years of marriage.