By Andrew Stackpool
 |
|
The
ashes of those who perished in Sea King Shark 02 were interred
in a memorial at Russell Offices in Canberra on Friday September
2.
|
|
Photos
by WOFF Steve Dent
|
 |
|
CO
HMAS Kanimbla CMDR George McGuire inters the urn containing
the ashes of the Sea King crew inside the memorial.
|
|
|
| * |
 |
Navy
Sea King helicopter Shark O2 from HMAS Kanimbla
crashed on Nias Island, Indonesia on April 2
during Operation Sumatra Assist II.
|
|
Nine
Servicemen and women from Air Force and Navy
died. Two members of the crew survived.
|
|
The
final remains have been laid to rest in a memorial
at Russell Offices in Canberra.
|
|
|
|
ANOTHER
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 men and
two women who died in the crash of Navy Sea King Shark 02 at Nias,
Indonesia, on April 2 were interred in a specially-constructed
memorial at Russell Offices in Canberra.
About 35 relatives of the deceased joined Commander George McGuire,
the Commanding Officer of 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 Bennet,
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 began 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 flag-draped 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 Navy 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.
“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.
