HMAS SYDNEY II COMMEMORATED

A moving service to remember and honour the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and her crew was held today over the site where the warship was recently discovered.

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon; the Hon. Bob Baldwin, MP (representing the Federal Opposition Leader); and the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders; joined a small group in HMAS Anzac for the commemorative service, including a number of relatives of HMAS Sydney II’s crew.

Among them was Commodore Rory Burnett (rtd), son of the Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney II at the time of her loss, Captain Joseph Burnett.

“It is with deepest respect that today we remember and honour the sacrifice of these brave young men made in the defence of our nation,” said Mr Snowdon.

Today’s service included the laying of wreaths and a 4.5 inch brass shell, inscribed with the names of all 645 men lost over the wreck site, approximately 112 nautical miles off the Western Australian coast.

“The discovery of Sydney’s final resting place means an enormous amount to the Royal Australian Navy,” said Vice Admiral Russ Shalders.

“Today is a sad day however it is the first real opportunity we have had to commemorate the loss of the Sydney since its discovery last month,” he said.

Following the service, HMAS Anzac sailed to the site of the HSK Kormoran where the German Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Martin Lutz, also laid a wreath and plaque to commemorate the 81 German sailors lost in the battle. HMAS Anzac is expected to arrive back at Geraldton early on 17 April.

A national memorial service on 24 April at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, will provide an opportunity for other relatives to commemorate the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and her crew. The service will also be open to the public.

Media note: Stills imagery from today’s commemorative service will be available for download from the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/media/download/. Vision from the ceremony will be fed to Parliament House networks.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):              02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                            02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664