Darkest days remembered

By Graham Davis

A sailor from HMAS Yarra in the guard of honour - remembering lives lost in the Battle of Java Sea

Photo: LSPH Bill Louys

Some of the “darkest days” in Australia’s World War II history were remembered during a memorial and wreath laying ceremony in Sydney on February 28.

More than 200 people attended the 62nd Battle of the Java Sea Commemoration Service at the Martin Place Cenotaph to remember the loss of 357 Australians and five Britons when HMAS Perth was sunk, and 137 RAN sailors when HMAS Yarra was lost in the Sunda Strait a few days later.

Members of the HMAS Perth Association were present as well as many from the “new” Yarra, the mine-hunter HMAS Yarra (LCDR Ian McPherson).

Yarra’s ship’s company provided the catafalque party while the Sydney contingent of the RAN provided the music.

The Minister for Veterans Affairs Mrs Danna Vale, provided the speech saying the Battle of the Java Sea and the loss of ships and lives were some of the “darkest days” for Australia.

They were followed by other dignitaries led by the MCAUST RADM Raydon Gates, Madelien de Planque the Consul General to the Netherlands, LCDR Chris Straughan, RN for the British High Commissioner and US airman SRA Kevin Kuch for the US Consul.

Australia, Great Britain, the US and the Netherlands all lost ships and people during the battles.

The service ended with the playing of the national anthems of the four nations.

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