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The
tradition continues, dusk two-up on Townsville’s foc’sle.
Photo by LCDR Jeff Goedecke
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By SBLT
Anthony Allen
Although
far from home at sea, the ship’s company of the Cairns based
patrol boat, HMAS Townsville (LCDR Jeff Goedecke) found time during
its busy six-week patrol to commemorate ANZAC Day.
The
day began with a Dawn Service on the foc’sle, and although
attendance was voluntary, all members of the ship’s company
turned out enthusiastically to honour those who served our country
in times of need.
The
Last Post followed prayers and the recital of the Ode as the sun
broke the horizon of the northern Australian sky. Completing the
ceremony, the National Anthem was played and the ANF raised to
the mast head.
Rounding out the morning’s proceedings was a gunfire breakfast
served on the quarterdeck (lots of milk but no rum though!), before
another busy day patrolling the north.
After
conducting patrol duties in the forenoon, Townsville rendezvoused
with HMAS Wollongong to conduct training for her boarding team.
The
competitive nature of both ships’ companies was clearly evident,
ensuring the in-company activities were executed in the true ANZAC
spirit. The boarding training finished, the ships conducted a
successful formation anchorage .
It
was decided that no ANZAC Day would be complete without a quick
game of the time honored ‘two up’ on the foc’sle.
Lacking
the usual two up equipment, pennies were substituted with twenty-cent
pieces and a 6 inch steel rule replaced the traditional wooden
paddle used for the toss.
It
appeared that “heads” was the call of the day coming
up more times than not, increasing some lucky punters’ canteen
spending potential.
As
the sun set on another ANZAC Day, the members relaxed with a beer
issue and a steel deck BBQ and took time to remember our fallen
countrymen. Lest We Forget.
