Australian war remains repatriated from Malaysia and Singapore

Australian military personnel carry remains in a coffin at the Royal Malaysian Airforce base in Subang (31 May 2016)AFP

Many of those being returned were killed in the Vietnam War.

The remains of 33 Australian military personnel and their dependents who died during conflicts in South East Asia are being returned to Australia.

The operation is the largest single repatriation of remains in Australian history.

Many of those being returned were Vietnam War casualties. All were buried in cemeteries in Malaysia or Singapore.

They were disinterred at the request of their families and will be returned to Australia for burial.

Thirty-two coffins were flown from Malaysia on Thursday, with one further coffin being returned from Singapore.

Malaysian honour guards with a coffin at Subang airforce base (31 May 2016)AFP

The coffins were handed from Malaysian to Australian care at a ceremony at the Subang airforce base on Tuesday morning.

Malaysian and Australian military officials salute at the Subang airforce base in Malaysia (31 May 2016)AFP

Senior representatives from both militaries were present to pay their respects.

Australian military personnel Christopher Bowtell (L), whose late grandfather Robert Walter Bowtell's remains were sent back, attends a repatriation ceremony at the Royal Malaysian Airforce base in SubangAFP

Also present was Christopher Bowtell, a serving member of the Australian army, whose grandfather Robert Walter Bowtell was among those being returned.

Australian military personnel carry coffins at the Royal Malaysian Airforce base in Subang (31 May 2016)AFP

The Australian government offered 36 families the chance to have their relatives' remains returned - 33 took up the offer.

A coffin is carried onto a plane by Australian military personnel in Malaysia (31 May 2016)AFP

The remains are being flown to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Richmond, outside Sydney, where a private memorial will be held.