Memories live on as anchor rests

PARKED: The “rusting hulk” now sits in its final resting place at Carruthers Park in Kallangur, Queensland.

Photo: Graham Davis

By Graham Davis Brisbane

“A rusting hulk is their tombstone” is a solemn and telling line from the Naval Ode. In a symbolic way and tangible way the line has become reality.

The “rusting hulk” today stands in a quiet park beside a busy road – Anzac Avenue – in the Brisbane suburb of Kallangur.

A project of the Pine Rivers Sub- Section of the Naval Association of Australia and the Pine Rivers Shire Council, and constructed by local sheet metal workers, the mock bow section of a warship forms an impressive and poignant memorial to those who “have no grave but the cruel seas and no flowers lying at their head.”

The memorial carries a 2.5 tonne guided missile destroyer anchor, significantly from DDG41, HMAS Brisbane, (The Steel Cat) whose ship’s company enjoyed Freedom of the City.

“We made sure the steel was left untreated and allowed to rust ... a most important theme for the memorial,” the Association’s National Vice President, Mr Les Dwyer, told Navy News.

On July 10 more than 100 people attended the dedication and unveiling of the new memorial. Cadets from TS Moreton ( Redcliffe) and TS Cooper ( Bribie Island) provided the catafalque, flag and wreath bearing parties while the Queensland Detachment of the RAN Band provided the bugler and appropriate music.

Representing the RAN were Head Maritime Systems RADM Trevor Ruting and his wife Margaret, Senior Naval Officer South Queensland CMDR Bob Plath, and WOB Tony Graham.

A number of shire council- lors were in attendance including the Mayor, Councillor Yvonne Chapman, and Councillor David Dwyer.

A large number of RAN veterans and members of the Pine Rivers Sub Section also attended as did many family members. Also, there was Clive Nichol, a descendent of AB Alex Nichol, a member of the ship’s company of submarine AE2 which was scuttled off Turkey during WW1 after harassing enemy shipping.

The ceremony was opened by shipmate Jim O’Connor with the crowd welcomed by the president of the local sub-section, Pat Ringold.

Addresses by RADM Ruting and Mayor Chapman followed. After a reading of the Naval Prayer by Vice President Rob Goodwin, a retired RAN chaplain, Rev. Col Baxter, moved forward to dedicate the memorial. RADM Ruting and Councillor Chapman unveiled plaques and later led a group of people in laying wreaths on the memorial.

Vice President Chris White recited the Ode and, to the 100 who looked on, the rusty panels of steel before them brought home the significance of “a rusting hulk is their tombstone.”

The Last Post and Reveille followed along with the National Anthem.

Note: The memorial stands at the corner of Carruthers Park, a spot where an even wider tribute to those who served in the RAN, is planned.

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