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Petty
Officer Richard Copperman greets daughter Aleshia after
Geraldton returned to Darwin late last month.
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Photo:
LSPH Kaye Adams
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The
ship’s company of patrol boat, HMAS Geraldton, received a warm
welcome home to Darwin late last month.
LCDR Terry Morrison and his 25 officers and sailors had been away
for seven weeks on patrol in waterways around the Solomons as
part of Australia’s commitment to Operation Anode.
Operation Anode seeks to restore law and order in the Solomons.
LCDR Morrison and his personnel did take time out, however, to
take New Zealand folk to a spot off Munda where in WWII a New
Zealand Airforce Hudson had been attacked by Japanese Zeroes,
sent into the sea and then its escaping crew strafed.
A memorial service was conducted at the site. (Story
in last edition of Navy News.) As the 250-tonne patrol boat
neared the Darwin Naval Base wharf there High drama were cheers
and waves from the wives, children, partners, parents and friends
of the ship’s company.
Once ashore the sailors were soon in the arms of their loved ones.
LCDR Morrison said: “Our time in the Solomons was quite different
to our usual duties here in the north of Australia and I think
it was that change of pace and the experience we gained professionally
which helped make the time away from home a little more bearable.
“Some of it was even fun. But there is no place like home.”
The Patrol Boat returned on February 21.
