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LCDR
Dezentje and LCDR Shand from HMAS Albatross shown here holding
the Esther trophy, taken from Creswell’s Wardroom.
Photo: ABPH Bradley Darvill
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By
Graham Davis
That
Esther Williams gets around - the Esther Williams Trophy, that
is.
The Page One story in the last edition of Navy News told of the
passage of the Esther Williams photograph from ships to bases
and back again on both sides of the Pacific since World War II.
The article also told of a planned documentary telling the story.
An extra chapter will have to be added. In June, Esther was in
the care of the RAN’s 805 (Seasprite) Squadron at HMAS Albatross.
Members of the squadron had captured her from the Creswell Wardroom.
The squadron decided to take her on a flight so she could gain
her wings both as a pilot and observer.
Esther succeeded and the glazed frame holding her image, an already
extensive array of campaign ribbons and awards, was opened. Her
new wings were added to the display. As our picture shows, LCDR
Den Dezentje, the squadron’s OPSO (left), and LCDR Matt Shand,
805’s training officer, were pretty pleased with the result.
On Wednesday, July 7, Esther was taken up to the base Wardroom.
She didn’t stay there long. Twenty minutes after her arrival
she was noticed to be missing, once again “liberated”.
A signal went out asking who were her new hosts. Esther herself
replied.
“I have flown the coop to go back to my roots, in ships at
sea.
“Farewell to Nowra for my maiden voyage in Ballarat.
“Ballarat defends my honour as much as she defends the flag.”
Esther’s message was sent on July 12.
