Newsletter Incorporating NCCV’s newsletter Rogues’ Yarn

Navy Victoria Network January 2014 Volume 4 Edition 1

Calendar Events (see calendar for details of all events) NVN current membership: 861 Editorial    31 Jan - 04 Feb - HMAS Tobruk visits Christmas 2013 seems a distant memory, school holidays are Melbourne nearly over, and most are back into the yearly routine. We need 02 Feb - RAN Recruits wreath laying at to look at the year ahead, which as indicated in the December Shrine Newsletter there are a number of items of interest planned 10 Feb - Anniversary Voyager / throughout the year. 2013 was a major significant milestone and Melbourne collision celebration for the RAN with the magnificent Fleet Review held 13-16 Feb - HMAS Voyager reunion in Sydney in October. 15 Feb - ex-Prisoners of War & Relatives Assoc. wreath laying at For 2014 events check the NVN Calendar where events and other Shrine any items of interest are added as they are in advised. The 23 Feb - RAN Recruits wreath laying at December Newsletter indicated a number of items under Shrine consideration by the Centenary of ANZAC Committee with 24 Feb - Naval Historical Society some of the events to be held in Victoria. meeting As indicated in the December Newsletter there are two events 28 Feb - Creswell Oration early in the year to be held in Melbourne. 01 Mar - HMAS Perth Assoc. (Vic) wreath laying at Shrine The annual “Creswell Oration” to be held at the William Angliss TAFE Restaurant, and presented by the RAN’s Fleet Commander, Latest News Rear Tim Barrett. The Oration will focus on the    establishment and commemoration of the 100th anniversary with MH-60R In-service Ceremony a focus on the “Significance of the Arrival of the RAN’s First The first two MH-60R Seahawk Romeo Fleet” in October 1913, and its enduring legacy. maritime combat helicopters were accepted by the HMAS YARRA 4 is planned to visit Melbourne late February for at an ‘In Service Date’ ceremony the presentation of a “Unit Citation “commemorating the loss of conducted by NUSQN 725 at Naval Air Yarra 2 during WW2 action against the Japanese in waters North Station Jacksonville, Florida on the 24th January. More..... of on March 4th 1942. The YARRA 4 crew have been invited to attend the “Creswell Oration”. On the Record: Reporting of accountability of personnel on Border Protection Operations With the interest in this “Citation” why not visit another WW2 veteran, the Museum Ship HMAS Castlemaine berthed at There have been assertions that Williamstown. Castlemaine was working with HMAS Armidale Australian sailors are no longer North of Darwin in the Timor Sea when Japanese aircraft sunk personally liable for their actions under Operation Sovereign Borders. the Armidale with a significant number of casualties. More..... Castlemaine played an important role in rescuing the survivors, to obtain further information visit the website Review of positioning of vessels engaged in Operation Sovereign http://hmascastlemaine.org.au. Borders The Australian Customs and Border The new LHD Canberra is due to leave Williamstown to Protection Service (ACBPS) and the undertake a docking in Sydney at garden Island in early have February, and will then commence operational trials off the East commenced a joint review into Coast. The Canberra is presently clearly visible from the HMAS Australian vessels which entered Castlemaine although a closer up view can be obtained in Anne Indonesian waters contrary to Australian Government policy, during Street in Williamstown adjacent to the Dockyard. The second operations conducted in association LHD Adelaide is well on its way from Spain to Williamstown with Operation Sovereign Borders. aboard the heavy lift ship Blue Marlin. The Adelaide is due to More..... arrive in Williamstown mid-February where it will remain for HMAS Childers arrives in Burma approximately 12 months for fitting of the superstructure and The Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS installation of the Combat System. Childers has arrived in Burma for a four day good will visit - the first visit If you have a reunion please use the NVN to help advertise and by an Australian warship to Burma promote your Ship Association or any other event. since HMAS Quiberon in 1959. More..... Keep an eye on the NVN Calendar for the events listed that may On the Record: Inaccurate reporting happen to coincide with the plans you have in line this year that of Navy capability may enable you to participate in naval activities, and catch up The article in the Sydney Morning with mates you have not seen for some time. Herald entitled ‘Submarine fleet a gold plated farce facing a reckoning’ For those who are ‘tech savvy’, the NVN now has its own which appeared on Monday 20th Smartphone App. It’s a great way to keep up to date with Naval January contains a number of errors happenings and once again to advertise your events. It also has a of fact. More..... chat room ‘Scuttlebutt’, so you can have a chat with any of your On the Record - Reporting of Conduct old shipmates. Just make sure you click notifications ‘on’ so you of Royal Australian Navy Members know when someone is in the room. For the app to work I on Border Protection Operations It is important that I place on the believe you must have your phone set up to receive emails. record my deep concern regarding the Hopefully with this app we can reach out to more ex-sailors reporting over the last few weeks in (particularly the younger ones) and in turn they may be both new and old media that interested in joining an association. For full details go to our discredits the conduct of members of website (http://navyvic.net) and download the brochure. the Royal Australian Navy in Border Protection Operations. More..... Yours Aye! Fair Indexation for DFRB and DFRDB NVN Team Recipients

The Australian Government will LEM(WE) Anthony Isaac, R56959, 21 January 2014. Aged 71. ensure that fair indexation will be

delivered and funded in the LTO Norman Hutchings, R93380, 14 January 2014. Government's first budget with the ABRP Barry Cullen, R58861, 13 January 2014. new measure to apply from 01 July 2014. DFRB and DFRDB retirement ME Bernie Meotti, R54387, 13 January 2014. Aged 75. pay recipients aged 55 and over will see their retirement pay indexed in the LSMUSN Darryl Mansell, R94480, 10 January 2014. Aged 65. same way as age and service pensions. More..... LSROS Donald Searle, R62696, 08 January 2014. Aged 68. Mystery of the Unknown Sailor of CPOSBA William Humphries, 05 January 2014. HMAS Sydney It is a mystery that has taken decades POMT Bill Lyons, R56834, 31 December 2013. Aged 70. to unfold. And the final chapters are agonisingly close to being told. ME Edward Ryder, R49501, 28 December 2013. Aged 81. Scientists just need one more piece of the jigsaw in the quest to identify the remains of their mystery man. They Lest We Forget need a descendant of the sailor whose Members: When you hear of any of our Navy family that has crossed body was retrieved from waters off Christmas Island, three months after the bar, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We would like to list their HMAS Sydney was sunk by the names in perpetuity on our special ‘Vale’ page on the website. If German raider HSK Kormoran in possible list their Rank, Name, Number, Age and their date of passing. November 1941. Read more..... Thank you If you can help identify the sailor, contact: [email protected] Media reporting on Armidale Class "Can Do Easy" Patrol Boat Maintenance by ex-CPOCD Tony Ey On 31 Dec 2013, News Corp published This story is based on numerous real life experiences a syndicated article (for example, of the Royal Australian Navy's Clearance Diving Asylum seeker missions wearing down Team 3 (RANCDT3), which served in South Navy’s fleet) which appears to have Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. It is the author's based its reporting largely on an intention to provide a quite accurate insight into inquiry into a toxic hazard incident which was conducted by Major what it was like to be a serving Australian Navy General Melick in 2011-12. More..... 'Clearance Diver' in South Vietnam during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Their professionalism, their at times unconventional behaviour, their - Victorian ever present sense of humour and most importantly, their willingness, Chapter - January Newsletter bordering on obsession, to confront life-threatening danger head on, NAVY NEWS were all fundamental ingredients of what made these men stand out Click here for the latest edition. from the crowd. For full details go to the Amazon website..... Don’t forget to visit the website, Interests: If you have a specific interest/link you think would be of appeal to there are many more news articles the wider navy community, we would be pleased to hear about it. Just email and information that are not our webmaster – [email protected] with details. included in this newsletter. Volume 4 Issue 1 Newsletter date January 2014 Naval Commemoration Committee of Victoria

Unknown Sailor(s)

You may be aware that the remains of a mariner washed up on the shores of DIARY NOTES ————— Christmas Island in February 1942 are Next NCCV meeting buried there. The assumption is that 1030 11th February at those remains are one of the 645 sailors Melb Naval Centre. lost when HMAS SYDNEY was sunk All Associations are by the HSK KORMORAN, November encourage to be 1941. A recent story by Bridie Smith, represented! Science Editor, The Age provides an

Services at the Shrine update on the efforts to discover who ↑ Above is a well known image of of Remembrance the unknown remains belong to. After SYDNEY II at the outset of WWII. [Everyone is most several decades there is a concerted Separate to the grave on Christmas welcome to attend any effort to name the mariner through the Island, there is an unmarked grave site service at the Shrine] use of DNA technology. The remains at Williamstown, Victoria, also the site ————— have yielded the necessary data to ena- of an unknown sailor. The remains RAN Recruits Wreath ble identification. What is needed now were discovered in the damaged hull of Laying Service is for the DNA from relatives of crew HMAS GOORANGAI some weeks 2FEB14@1030 and members of the SYDNEY. ↓ A small after the tragic sinking of the vessel off also @1100 on the number of the crew is pictured below. Portsea, Port Phillip Bay. The loss of 23FEB14 in the GOORANGAI was tragic on two Sanctuary counts, the loss of the entire crew of 24 hands and it was the first surface ship HMAS PERTH lost by the RAN. The recent discovery Wreath laying was made by POMT Andrew Campbell 1MAR14@1200 RANR. After considerable research Cenotaph PO Campbell has proved that the grave Reunion site is authentic and has remained bare dirt since 1940. He is behind a con- certed effort to have this unmarked grave properly identified. Given the effort behind identifying the remains at Christmas Island, it seems reasonable Being able to name the remains has to also discover who was put to rest at been given some priority. Some in Williamstown. There were six bodies More of the ordeal involving the loss of HMAS SYD- Navy are strong supporters of the effort recovered from GOORANGAI with NEY has been revealed in more recent times with the to identify the person buried at Christ- five identified. Given the techniques discovery of the SYDNEY. mas Island. Looking after our own has Naval Stores Branch available today and the effort to identi- always been important. To assist, if fy other unnamed remains that were Venue at Frankston you know any descendants of a mem- 16 to 18 May 2014 the result of warlike activities then the ber of the Ship’s Company lost in intention to do something about the Please contact: SYDNEY 1, you are requested to ad- Alan Cady-Ellis unmarked grave at Williamstown vise them to email Navy as following: should be paramount. Notes from PO (03) 9775 8621 or [email protected] 0407 436 498 Campbell and Bridie Smith’s article.

Email: [email protected]

P a g e 2 President’s Report As we plan for this new year there are much around the first shot fired in WWI, which was from Fort Nepean across the Disclaimer many considerations. We ask that you Articles contributed are keep two important aims in mind, firstly bow of the German freighter SS PFALZ the Author’s thoughts seek to attend at least one of the NCCV on 5AUG14. The PFALZ was acquired only. An article may Flagship events and secondly, should you and became HMT Boorara for the dura- be edited to meet the discover someone with a past relationship tion of WWI. There is some thought of space available. with Navy encourage them to connect. trying to find that first shell fired, whilst This may entail identifying an association an exercise of some futility, it is an inter- Melbourne Naval relevant to their service or family ties. esting method for publicising the early Centre Any advance along these lines will benefit involvement of our local defence forces. MNC is an organiza- Our challenge could well be to enhance tion that has provided the wider Navy family and lead to greater much needed funds to support for Navy generally. Any increase recognition of events Navy over the next Ship Associations over in your participation, through attending a five years that emphasise the work of our many decades. In need Flagship activity will enhance our ability sailors during WWI. If you are aware of of financial or adminis- to be sustainable. Our next key event is such activities, by all means let NCCV trative support, contact the Battle of the Coral Sea, on Sunday, know so we might take account of these the MNC. 4MAY14 at the Shrine of Remembrance.. important occasions. If any association We have been very pleased to receive ad- you are part of plan a commemorative Navy Victoria vice that several descendants of Veterans service, remember to advice NVN web- Network The NavyVIC website from LSI Manoora, Kanimbla & Westralia site so that we might all know it is hap- is there for all to see, in have formed a small committee to continue pening. The NVN calendar also helps to particular it is for Navy supporting the legacy of their families. If avoid conflicts between activities, also Associations to provide you have a connection with the LSIs, or knowledge of these events is advertised information on their ships of the same name let us know. This so we might maximise attendance levels. activities to the wider committee will also accommodate family The NVN website can also list the details Navy Community. An opportunity not to members linked to HMAS ASSAULT. of your organization so that others can be missed - Log on! A key theme commencing this year will be make contact. NCCV also hope you had the events highlighting WWI and signify- a wonderful Australia Day. ing ANZAC Centenary. We will read Yours aye, Terry Makings DEMS - ILS Members Key 2014 Activities As most will be aware, we have been pressing for new We have just commenced a new year and it would players to become involved in Ship / Unit / Branch be helpful to note in your diary several of the key Associations. We are very pleased to note that several activities. One of the following significant events descendants of those worthy sailors who served in may attract your interest as we draw the attention HMAS WESTRALIA, MANOORA and KANIMBLA of the Navy Family to these events: have come together to carry the banner(s). This is a 4MAR14; Presentation of Unit Citation to HMAS great initiative as the three ILS Associations, as we YARRA IV in Melbourne. This follows the report know them today, intend to pay off each of their exist- of the inquiry into unresolved recognition of past ing Ship Associations after ANZAC Day 2014. acts of naval and military gallantry and valour that NCCV representatives have encouraged enthusiastic recognised the amazing bravery of the entire crew. descendants to step up as we offered whatever assis- 4MAY14; Battle of the Coral Sea. A Service is tance is required to make this a reality. With the shift scheduled to occur at the Cenotaph, Shrine of Re- from WWII Veterans to post WWII Service men/ membrance at 1100. This service is a joint effort women and descendants we are encouraged that there with NCCV & the Australia America Association. are champions out there willing to give it a go. It will 19OCT14; Seafarers Church Service. This service take some effort to retain the ship banners at significant has been conducted for the past 106 years, princi- events, such as ANZAC Day. This is a great example pal organiser is the Mission to Seafarers. Today of how to make it happen. If you have any connection the Mission is assisted by the NCCV. with DEMS, ILSs or any Merchant/Amphibious Ship 19OCT14; Navy Wreath Laying Service. A ser- then please encourage them to contact NCCV and we vice in the Sancturary, Shrine of Remembrance. will ensure you are put in touch with the appropriate 23NOV14: HMAS GOORANGAI Commemora- organiser. Help to ensure the legacy continues. tive Service, Ocean View Reserve, Queenscliff.

Email: [email protected] Website: http://navyvic.net/ P a g e 3

HMAS PERTH 1 Defending Navy It seems scavengers are removing items from the Ray Griggs AO CSC Chief of Navy sunken remains of HMAS PERTH (I). The main found it necessary to make a statement defending Navy stream media covered this story in December 2013, recently. His words should be read by all by going to: with the assistance of Patty Wright, author of Ray http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/01/20/reporting-of- Parkin’s Odyssey and dedicated researcher of POW conduct-of-royal-australian-navy-members-on-border- activities along the Thai-Burma Railway. The protection-operations/ [cut and paste this address into PERTH is a significant reminder of the tragedy of your browser!] We may be bold to voice an opinion of war and the supreme sacrifice made by 468 brave CN’s statement, so be it, CN has shown the gritt so Australian sailors. desperately needed by our contemporary leaders as he The challenge is defences the modern day Navy. Words such as, quote how best to safe- “This generation of men and women who wear the uni- guard such a me- form are worthy of more respect than has been shown morial in memory to them in the past few weeks” unquote. CN’s stand is of our fallen sail- the consequence of our national media demonstrating ors. Sadly there is their propensity to side with those sad souls who have no sympathy from attempted to cross the seas to enter Australia illegally. the country within To think our sailors would knowingly cause injury to which the ship lays people at sea is unthinkable and not worthy of our time. USS Independence CMDR Stan Veale The USS Independence, type LCS [Littoral Combat Commander Richard Stanley Veale CMG VRD** Ship] is the USN’s not so new pirate catcher. The RANR Rtd, 1893 - 1987, a legend within the Navy 'Littoral' means close-to-shore, and that's where the Community Victoria. Pictured at right below is Stan USS Independence operates best. This vessel is dressed in Navy Cadet uniform at the age of 15 years. tailor-made for launching helicopters and lightly- To the left is Stan as he led the Navy contingent on armoured vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all ANZAC day 1987. A distinguished career over manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns. many decades, commencing as a Midshipman at the The build is proclaimed as being relatively inexpen- commencement of WWI. His first war like action sive at $A240 million, and the USN is well on its was to be part of the expeditionary force that captured way to building 55 of them. This tri-hull represents the German communications station at Bita Paka in a new breed of brown water Navy vessels, reputed September 1914. He was demobilised 31DEC19, to be capable of travelling at 60 knots. This platform however, he continued with RANR duties. Prior to has an extensive helo deck and huge storage capacity the outbreak of WWII he was transferred to the RAN under the flight deck. A very impressive vessel Volunteer Reserve due to age. Stan was appointed to indicative of today’s far reaching technology and the full time service as a LCDR RANVR on 31AUG39. ingenuity of a modern Navy and its smart sailors. He continued service until 12JAN50. A great sailor!

Email: [email protected] Website: http://navyvic.net/ P a g e 4

ANZAC Centenary DIRECTORY for NCCV The list of activities likely to be undertaken by Ship/Unit/Branch Associations in Victoria is PATRON: CDRE Jim Dickson AM MBE RAN Rtd yet to be fully developed. Whilst there are some well known WWI events listed on the PRESIDENT: Terry Makings program, the wider intentions of our many Telephone: 03 9429 9489 [leave a message] Associations needs to be drawn together for M: 0411 135 163 all to see. The location for a consolidated list VICE PRESIDENT: Marty Grogan OAM is ideally the Navy Victoria Network website. The Navy incidents to be commemorated this Telephone: 0417 377 763 year are: the first shot fired on 5AUG14, first Jnr V/PRESIDENT: Pete Johnston offence and casualty at Battle of Bita Paka Telephone: 0419 104 473 11SEP14 and loss of AE1 on 14SEP14. SECRETARY: Chris Banfield The Victorian Minister for Veteran Affairs, Mr Hugh Delehunty recently announced that Telephone: 0412 832 148 the Veterans Council will have additional TREASURER: Jan Gallagher funding to support the ANZAC Centenary Telephone: 03 9786 5371 with allocations up to $20K available. As the PR Officer: Chris Banfield rules of engagement for the Veterans Council are quite rigorous there are discussions taking Editor: Terry Makings place within the Navy Fraternity on how best All correspondence to the email address please, to facilitate requests. If need be contact the [email protected] NCCV for further advice on this matter, or or if postal mail is essential, The Secretary at: just go for it! A reminder, are your activities listed on the NVN calendar?? 316 Nicholson Street, East Fitzroy VIC 3065 ONCE NAVY, ALWAYS NAVY! Website: http://navyvic.net Items of special interest Veterans Council. Victoria is very lucky to have The was the first Defence Force Rear Admiral John Lord AM RAN Rtd appointed deployment of the Second World War and we are as the new Chair of the Veterans Council. This is reminded of their exploits at this time each year. the first time a Navy person has chaired this key Those attending will meet and hear the Honoura- committee. The other Navy representative on the ble Ted Baillieu, former Premier of Victoria and Council is Peter Tanner, an ex-Writer who has been Chair of the State Governments ANZAC Cen- very successful since paying off from the Navy. tenary Committee address the workings of the We can be confident that Navy will receive a fair committee as we move through the next 5 years. hearing when seeking support from the Council. The cost will be $35 pp, so RSVP Chris Banfield, Our associations need to know how to access the at [email protected] or tele- Veterans Council and make best use of its support. phone Chris on 041 2832 148. Be there!! HMAS Bataan Veterans National Association of Creswell Oration. The annual Creswell Oration Australia. BATAAN is arranging their 23rd will be presented by Rear Admiral Tim Barrett Annual Reunion on Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th AM CSC RAN, Fleet Commander. The Fleet September 2014. Primary location will be the Commander will address “The significance of the Grand Chifley, South Terrace, Adelaide SA. arrival of the Royal Australian Navy’s First Fleet”. The association also meets every month for lunch. Given the enormous reception last year of the In- New members are very welcome. If interested in ternational Fleet Review the Admirals account of attending the annual reunion, or joining in the fun at the significance will no doubt prove very interest- the lunch, contact John Laughton, 0417 336 423 or ing. The important date is Friday, 28FEB14 at email [email protected] or for traditionalists post: William Angliss Restaurant, RSVP by 14FEB14 36 Tamarisk Rd, NARRE WARREN VIC 3805 to John Wilkins - [email protected] or Scrap Iron Flotilla Association. The association to Ray Gill - [email protected] is arranging their annual lunch, scheduled for Fri- Crew members of HMAS YARRA may also be day, 28MAR14 at William Angliss Restaurant. present, visiting to receive the unit citation.

Email: [email protected] Website: http://navyvic.net/