Final farewell for Shark 02

Goodbye: The interment of ashes and dedication of a memorial to those who perished in Sea King Shark 02 on Nias Island, Indonesia, was a fitting final farewell in Canberra.

Photo: Steve Dent

By Andrew Stackpool

The final chapter of the human tragedy of the ADF’s worst aviation disaster in recent years has been closed.

On a sombre September 2, the final remains of the seven Servicemen and women who died in the crash of Navy Sea King Shark 02 at Nias, Sumatra, on April 2 were interred in a specially-constructed memorial at the Russell complex in Canberra.

About 35 relatives of the deceased joined Commander George McGuire, the CO HMAS Kanimbla, members of Kanimbla’s ship’s company, Defence Secretary Ric Smith, CDF Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, the Deputy Chiefs of Navy and Air Force and invited members of the ADF attended the short but moving ceremony. The Australian Federation Guard provided the Catafalque Party, which mounted to the traditional mooted tap of a single drum.

Lieutenants Matthew Davey, Matthew Goodall, Paul Kimlin and Jonathon King, Petty Officer Stephen Slattery, Leading Seaman Scott Bennett, Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy, Flight Lieutenant Lynne Rowbottom and Sergeant Wendy Jones died when the Sea King crashed during disaster relief operations on the earthquake- ravaged island. Investigations into the disaster continue and the Board of Inquiry commenced on September 6.

In the spirit of international military brotherhood, on April 4 Indonesian and ADF personnel united to hold a memorial ceremony before the Australian flagdraped coffins bearing the deceased’s remains were returned to Australia. Two other members, Leading Aircraftman Scott Nichols and Leading Seaman Shane Warburton survived with injuries.

They have since returned to duty. Captain Adam Grunsell welcomed the guests and after the introduction and consecration of the memorial ground, Commander McGuire interred the ashes of the nine, united for eternity.

The stainless steel urn was engraved with the crests of the RAN and Air Force. Navy Chaplain Chris Aulich offered the assembled group some messages of hope. He said that the grief many would be feeling was real and would continue. “Nothing can take the place of a loved one who is lost,” he said.

“People say that time heals, but the reality is that time will merely ameliorate, it certainly can’t heal.” Nevertheless, “Grieving is healthy, proper and wholesome”.

Secondly, he asked the guests to consider what a Lieutenant Commander had told him a couple of days earlier. “They were heroes and we shall remember them for ever,” he said. “They will remain in our history because they gave of themselves without asking or expecting anything in return.

“The Bible says that no greater love has any man than that he should lay down his life for another. That is exactly what they did.

On that day they may not have known that was what was called of them, but that does not take away any of the fact that what they did was heroic and goes beyond words.” -CHAP Chris Aulich “This memorial we dedicate today will be a reminder down the ages of them and their selfless self-giving.”

Prayers, Bible reading, dedication of the memorial and a prayer for the families followed, after which the dignitaries, families and a number of friends laid posies at the stone.

Finally, the haunting tones of the Last Post, followed by a minute’s silence and the Navy’s distinctive Reveille. The final benediction and blessing, and the nine were left in peace.”

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