Image Gallery: June 2010
09 June 2010
Our Navy farewells top Admiral with full ceremonial honours in Sydney
The Royal Australian Navy paused today to farewell Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, who died last week.
After a closed service at the historic Garden Island Chapel, the coffin was loaded onto a gun carriage, which carried Rear Admiral Coates in a solemn procession to the gates of Fleet Base East.
A funeral firing party of 24 sailors in full ceremonial uniform fired three volleys in tribute before the gun carriage began its slow journey around Fleet Base East, Garden Island. The coffin was draped in the Australian White Ensign. Navy officers and sailors lined the route as the gun carriage made its way from the Chapel to Fleet Landing where the coffin was transferred into the hearse.
A platoon of 150 Navy members of all ranks marched in escort. They were led by the Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia (and NSW Governor) Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN, who accompanied Rear Admiral Coates’ widow, three children and immediate family. Serving Admirals followed close behind.
The hearse proceeded past Navy ships currently alongside Fleet Base East; the ships’ companies formed up and came to attention in salute as the procession passed by.
Cannons began firing as the coffin emerged from the Chapel. HMAS Tobruk fired a ceremonial 12-pound cannon once a minute. When the procession reached the gates of Fleet Base East, the firing increased with 13 guns sounding at 5-second intervals.
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Pall bearers carry the coffin of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, from the Garden Island Chapel to the waiting Gun Carriage as family, friends and Navy personnel attend to pay their respects during the Funeral Service on Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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The coffin of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, sits on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage as Family, friends and Navy personnel attend to pay their respects during the Funeral Service on Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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The coffin of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, is escorted for the final journey on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage as family, friends and Navy personnel attend to pay their respects during the Funeral Service on Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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HMAS Tobruk fires a salute using a Ceremonial 12 pounder Naval Gun in tribute to the passing of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, as family, friends and Navy personnel attend to pay their respects during the Funeral Service on Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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A member of the Ceremonial Guard outside the Garden Island Chapel before the service of thanksgiving and remembrance for Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN at Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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A member of the Royal Australian Navy holds an order of service, during the service of thanksgiving and remembrance for Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN at Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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RAN Personnel tow the Gun Carriage that will carry the coffin of Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN during the service of thanksgiving and remembrance for him at Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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The funeral procession carrying the coffin of Rear Admiral Coates AM RAN drives past HMAS Kanimbla to Fleet Base East 5 Gate at Garden Island, Sydney.
(Date taken: 09 June 2010)
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