Navy adds to AWM historic collection

By Graham Davis

LEUT Victoria Caton and mum Anna Berry with son Charlie. Photo by CPL Ashley Roach

On July 25 CAPT Peter Lockwood, the Commanding Officer of HMAS Anzac presented a number of relics from Operation Falconer to the Australian War Memorial.

The items included a five-inch shell casing engraved with the names of the ship’s company, the ceremonial life ring from HMAS Darwin and a life ring from an Iraqi tug which had been signed by one of the boarding parties from HMAS Kanimbla.

Describing the presentation ceremony as an opportunity to commemorate the recent service of Navy people in The Gulf CAPT Lockwood said, “the presentation of these relics will provide the Australian War Memorial with a comprehensive historical record of the Navy’s proud contribution to the Coalition efforts in the Middle East.

“This commemoration in our national war memorial will ensure the recent active service of naval personnel in The Gulf is remembered for future generations of all Australians.

“This will assist in helping those generations to understand what today’s sailors have experienced,” CAPT Lockwood said.

On March 21 Anzac fired some four dozen rounds from her five-inch gun in support of Royal Marines moving across the Al Faw Peninsula in the earliest stages of the conflict.

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