Image Gallery: April 2008
HMAS Sydney II memorial service
16 April 2008
Some 207km (112 nm) off Steep Point on the Western Australian coast, Navy Principal Chaplain Eric Burton, RAN, conducted a moving service over the site where HMAS Sydney II now rests after she was lost 66 years earlier.
During the service wreaths were laid including one laid by 5 family representatives of the crew of Sydney II. The Last Post and Reveille was played with a minute silence observed in honour of the 645 crew.
A commemorative cartridge was placed into the ocean over the Sydney II site by the family representatives and Chief of Navy.
The Service in HMAS Anzac was witnessed by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN; the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon Warren Snowdon, MP; the German Ambassador, His Excellency Martin Lutz; Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon Bob Baldwin, MP; along with relatives of the crew of Sydney II, Directors of the Finding Sydney Foundation and other invited guests.
Following the service, Anzac sailed approximately 22km (12nm) to the site of the wreck of the German Raider HSK Kormoran, where Principal Chaplain Burton led another service, in honor of the German Sailors.
The wreck of the HMAS Sydney II was found by the Finding Sydney Foundation on 16th March 2008 at a depth of approximately 2,468 metres. The wreck of the HSK Kormoran was found by the Finding Sydney Foundation on 12th March 2008 approximately 22km (12 nm) from the Sydney II at a depth of approximately 2,560 metres.
| 20080416ran8114832_129 The commemorative cartridge is passed to Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders by the family representatives (L-R) Mrs Margret Morse, daughter of Petty Officer John Davey and Mr Ted McGowan, brother of Able Seaman Thomas Henry McGowan. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_151 Over the site of HMAS Sydney II, family members attend the first memorial service on board HMAS Anzac (R-L) Mr Ted McGowan, brother of Able Seaman Thomas Henry McGowan, Mrs Margret Morse, daughter of Petty Officer John Davey, Mrs Robyn Leitch, daughter of Petty Officer Edgar Morris, Mr John Bournes, nephew of Able Seaman John Dennis McDonald, Commodore (Retired) Rory Burnett, son of Captain Joseph Burnett. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_176 Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders prepares to pass the commemorative cartridge to the German Ambassador His Excellency Martin Lutz, to place into the ocean over the HSK Kormoran site. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_008 The commemorative cartridge that was placed into the ocean over the Sydney II site by the family representatives and Chief of Navy. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_101 Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon Warren Snowdon, MP places a wreath into the ocean over the HMAS Sydney II site. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_105 German Ambassador His Excellency Martin Lutz places a wreath into the ocean over the HSK Kormoran site. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_124 Family representatives (L-R) Commodore (Retired) Rory Burnett, son of Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney II Commodore Burnett, Mrs Robyn Leitch, daughter of Petty Officer Edgar Morris, Mr John Bournes, nephew of Able Seaman John Dennis McDonald, Mrs Margret Morse, daughter of Petty Officer John Davey, pass the Commemorative Cartridge to Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_127 The commemorative cartridge is passed to Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, by the family representatives (L-R) Commodore (Retired) Rory Burnett, son of Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney II Captain Joseph Burnett, Mrs Margret Morse, daughter of Petty Officer John Davey and Mr Ted McGowan, brother of Able Thomas Henry McGowan. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080416ran8114832_242 The Honourable Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, and Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy, attend the HMAS Sydney II memorial service over the site of HMAS Sydney II. (Date taken: 16 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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