A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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Many books have been written over the years to try to come to terms with how and why the
Sydney sank. The Finding Sydney Foundation, a not for profit group, was established in July
2001 with the intention of finding the location of HMAS Sydney II and to honour all those
that had been lost in her. The Directors for the foundation were Ted Graham, Commodore
Bob Trotter RAN (retired), Don Pridmore, Keith Rowe and Glenys McDonald AM JP. An active
search with the help of shipwreck investigator David Mearns onboard the SV Geosounder,
began on 29 February 2008. For the many remaining relatives and friends, the successful
outcome of this large undertaking would be an opportunity to put to rest their unanswered
questions and perhaps gain some closure.
On Wednesday 12 March 2008, an image appeared on the sonar screen of the search vessel
SV Geosounder. 26° 05' 49.4" S 111° 04' 27.5" E Approximately 207km from the west coast
(Steep Point) of Western Australia, at a depth of approximately 2,560 metres, the location
of the HSK Kormoran was discovered. This exciting revelation meant that Sydney must be
close by, and the months of searching would perhaps soon have a successful end. On
Wednesday 16 March 2008, at the location of 26° 14’ 37” S 111° 13’ 03” E, and a depth of
approximately 2,468 metres, HMAS Sydney Its hiding spot was finally revealed as a sonar
image on the computers of the Geosounder.
On Thursday 17 March 2008, the Prime Minister, Honourable Kevin Rudd, together with the
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Honorable Warren Snowdon, MP, Chief of
the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of
Navy and Mr Ted Graham, Chairman of The Finding Sydney Foundation, made the historic
announcement the HMAS Sydney II had been discovered. By Thursday 3 April, the first
images of Sydney were being taken and delivered to the world.
A National Memorial Service to commemorate the Ship’s Company of HMAS Sydney II who
lost their lives was held on Thursday 24 April 2008 at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Over 1200
people attended the memorial service, which included almost 1000 relative of the Sydney II
crew members. The Sydney detachment supported the occasion with the wind orchestra,
ceremonial fanfare team with buglers and the Sea Chanter’s chorus. The bugle players Able
Seaman Marcus Salone and Able Seaman Chris Ellis held the Navy Bands military drums that
have a battle honours roll displayed of band members lost in the line of service, and
performed on bugles that have been dedicated to band members who were on board HMAS
Sydney II at the time of its sinking. The service was broadcast live by the ABC, and repeated
a short time later on the Sky New Channel.
The anniversary of the sinking would indeed be an extra special occasion with its 67 th year
being celebrated this year on Wednesday 19 November. Memorial services were attended
around the country, with the Royal Australian Navy Band being in attendance for number of
the services. The Sydney detachment supported services at the Sydney Cenotaph in Martin
Place and the Canberra War Memorial. The Melbourne detachment attended a service at
the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, and the Queensland detachment attended a
Brisbane commemorative service at the Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC Square.
A small element of the Sydney detachment also travelled to Geraldton to supplement
numbers of the Western Australian detachment. The first commitment for the group was to
attend a service for the burial of the unknown sailor, held at Queens Park and attended by
about 150 people. The sailor believed to be the only crew member of HMAS Sydney II was
found in a life raft on the shores of Christmas Island in February 1942. DNA testing has ruled
out 15 of a possible 16 identifications, the last test is currently being investigated. The
unknown sailor has become a symbol for all those who lost family and friend on the Sydney.
His remains were laid to rest at the Geraldton War Cemetery. After a brief ceremony
including the reading of the Naval Ode and a rendition of The Last Post, a rifle salute rang
out as the coffin was lowered.
A Commemorative Sunset Service was held at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial at Mt Scott Park.
Known as the ‘dome of souls’, the memorial was created by Joan Walsh-Smith in
collaboration with the Rotary Club Geraldton, and is certainly an impressive and well
thought out structure. It was on 19 November 1998, during the dedication of the HMAS
Sydney memorial site that a large flock of silver seagulls flew in formation above the
crowd.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage