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Dateline
- April 16, 2008
HMAS
Sydney II commemorated |
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A moving service to remember and honour the tragic loss of HMAS
Sydney II and her crew was held today over the site where the
warship was recently discovered. The Minister for Defence Science
and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon; the Hon. Bob Baldwin,
MP (representing the Federal Opposition Leader); and the Chief
of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders; joined a small group in HMAS
Anzac for the commemorative service, including a number of relatives
of HMAS Sydney II’s crew. Among them was Commodore Rory Burnett
(rtd), son of the Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney II at the
time of her loss, Captain Joseph Burnett.
“It is with deepest respect that today we remember and honour
the sacrifice of these brave young men made in the defence of
our nation,” said Mr Snowdon. Today’s service included
the laying of wreaths and a 4.5 inch brass shell, inscribed with
the names of all 645 men lost over the wreck site, approximately
112 nautical miles off the Western Australian coast. “The
discovery of Sydney’s final resting place means an enormous
amount to the Royal Australian Navy,” said Vice Admiral Russ
Shalders. “Today is a sad day however it is the first real
opportunity we have had to commemorate the loss of the Sydney
since its discovery last month,” he said.
Following the service, HMAS Anzac sailed to the site of the HSK
Kormoran where the German Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Martin
Lutz, also laid a wreath and plaque to commemorate the 81 German
sailors lost in the battle. HMAS Anzac is expected to arrive back
at Geraldton early on 17 April. A national memorial service on
24 April at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, will provide an
opportunity for other relatives to commemorate the tragic loss
of HMAS Sydney II and her crew. The service will also be open
to the public.
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