The
funeral on Friday Septemer 13, following the death of VADM Rod
Taylor, was an event of much Naval tradition.
The use of the gun carriage, the ceremonial guard and the lining
of the streets, are traditions that date back to the time of Nelson.
Many of the personnel who performed these duties were from the
Training Authority Maritime Warfare and in particular HMAS Watson,
which contributed 118 senior and junior sailors for the funeral.
Other personnel were from Albatross (60), Creswell (30), FIMA-Sydney
(10), FIMA-Waterhen (10) and Waterhen (20).
These personnel, many trainees, carried out this sad duty with
great professionalism. This was a true mark of respect for VADM
Taylor.
Training began on Wednesday morning at HMAS Harman. Personnel
were divided up into the tasks of ceremonial coffin bearers, street
liners, ushers for the chapel, car door openers, gun carriage
crew and general working hands.
136 junior sailors, 96 on the front four ropes and 40 on the rear
four, pulled the gun carriage.
Two full days of training, culminating in a full dress rehearsal
at RMC Duntroon, were required to enable the gun carriage party
to meet the exact standards required for the funeral.
While the funeral was an important event for the RAN, being in
the best tradition of the Navy, it certainly impacted on current
capabilities. Training ceased at Watson for the four days required
to move to Canberra, train, and carry out the funeral.
The short notice logistic requirement to move and accommodate
the personnel was ably co-ordinated by CMDR Roy Christie from
Watson and POBM Cameron Ferguson from HMAS Harman. The sailors
were accommodated at ADFA, Duntroon and RAAF Fairbairn, whilst
most of the training was conducted at Harman, whose staff provided
an excellent service during the training program.
While it was a sad occasion for all concerned, it was a fantastic
effort by those involved, in the best traditions of the RAN.
- By
CMDR Ted Breukel & CPOB Brett Jasper
