As he approaches his 100th birthday, Navy veteran Frederick Ronald Stannus returned to HMAS Cerberus, the place his Navy story began more than 80 years ago.

Known to his family and friends as Ron, his visit on April 8 was both a homecoming and a bridge between generations of Navy members.

Walking the same grounds where his naval journey began, Mr Stannus was welcomed by Commanding Officer Cerberus Captain Ben Esler as an honoured guest, before being given a VIP tour of the Heritage and Learning Centre by Commander Helen Ward, the centre’s director.

Yet it was not just the buildings and artefacts that made the day significant, but the opportunity to connect with Navy’s newest members and share his experiences as a young recruit.

“A lot of what Ron’s been saying rings true for them,” Captain Esler said.  

“What they’re experiencing now is the same as what he experienced all that time ago, and I think it’s really valuable for them.”

Mr Stannus qualified as a quartermaster during his service and was present on board the Tribal-class destroyer HMAS Warramunga I in Tokyo Bay for Imperial Japan’s surrender in 1945, a moment that marked the end of World War II.

'What they’re experiencing now is the same as what he experienced all that time ago, and I think it’s really valuable for them.'

For many years, like so many veterans of his generation, Mr Stannus rarely spoke about his experiences.

“I’ve only recently started talking about it,” he said.

“When I got back I just got on with life.”

Despite this quiet humility about his experience, on this visit, Mr Stannus generously shared his story with recruits and junior sailors at the beginning of their own naval careers.

Sitting among them, he offered not only history, but perspective, reminding them that while a lot has changed over the course of 80 years, the Navy values of service, courage and integrity remain true.

“It’s wonderful to meet you at the start of your career. I hope it’s a happy one,” he said.

For Mr Stannus, the meeting was also a chance to see how Navy has evolved.

“It’s great to see we have a well-functioning Navy today,” he said.

His visit also came at a significant moment in Navy’s story, with 2026 marking 125 years since the establishment of Australia’s Navy in 1901.