Twenty plaques added to GI Chapel

Lit by the stained glass Laurie Ackerman remembers his father Percy, Leading Stoker SN S5651. Photo by ABPH Bill Louys.

By Graham Davis
The Ackerman family stood quietly looking at a new brass plaque positioned below many others in the Chapel of Remembrance at Garden Island, Sydney on May 18 and remembered a husband, a father and a grandfather, Percy Charles Ackerman. Aged 85, Mr Ackerman died in January.

A leading stoker with serial number S 5651, he served his country in the RAN from 1941 to 1946.

His plaque was one of 20 dedicated earlier by SCHA Richard Thompson, in a service held upstairs in the main chapel and attended by more than 100 family members and friends.

SCHA Thompson prayed: “Lord, look on us in love and mercy as we meet in your name. Bless these plaques and all who look upon them. Help us to be faithful to the example of honour, honesty, courage, loyalty, integrity and service of all whose names are placed before us in this Chapel of Remembrance.”

The names of the 20 sailors were then read, Last Post sounded, a minute’s silence observed and Reveille played.
Those who had come for the dedication of the plaque for LS Ackerman were his widow Bette, son Laurie and grandchildren Ben 23 and Kimberley 17.

Other plaques were dedicated to the memory of Noel Patrick Benham, Richard Raymond Benham, John Lambert Brandl, Henry George Butcher, L.K.Delany, John Couper Dobbie, John Matthew Edwards, Reginald Errol Heaney, Laurence E.C. Hinchcliffe, Jack Miles Hobson, Arthur James Malone, Donald McKenzie, Donald Bruce McKenzie, John Arthur Mobbs, Christopher John Nisbet, Keith Arnold Oehlman, Donald David Salmon, Donald Wilfred Smith and Edward John T Sweetman.

The Chapel of Remembrance is on the lower ground floor of the main chapel on Garden Island and with its wood panelling, stone paving, subtle lighting and the reflection from hundreds of memorial plaques provides a quiet and moving place.

Additional plaques are added during services held around ANZAC and Remembrance Days each year.

 

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