Welcome speech - Legacy

Welcome Speech



Welcome speech by Lindsay Birrell during the service 19th November 2008

HMAS SYDNEY II, HSK KORMORAN MEMORIAL SERVICE

ST CLEMENT DANES CHURCH LONDON

ORDER OF SERVICE (to be read in conjunction with the booklet)

The St Clement Danes Bells will play the Australian National Anthem before the service and Maltzing Matilda after the service.

The Colours : the Australian Ensign & the Royal Navy Ensign

A listing of the 645 names of those lost in HMAS SYDNEY II are on display

Welcome: LINDSAY BIRRELL Legatee, President London Legacy & European representative HMAS SYDNEY & V.L.S.V.A (VIC INC) ASSOCIATION

All stand The Naval Ode

They have no grave, but the cruel sea ,no flowers lay at their head.

A rusting hulk is their tombstone, afast on the ocean bed.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Response WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

IN MEMORY OF ALL OUR SHIPMATES WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE AND NOW REST IN THE BOSOM OF THE GREAT MARINER

Those present: A welcome to :

The Aust High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, his Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO

Rear Admiral Nigel Guild Senior Responsible Officer Carrier Strike RN, representing the First Sea Lord who is today on board HMAS SYDNEY IV above the wrecks on the North Western Australian Coast .

Air Commodore Steve Martin Head Australian Defence Staff, RAAF

Captain Ian Greenlees Royal Naval Dockyard Portsmouth RN, representing Commodore David Steel RN

Commander Michael Dunne Assistant Naval Advisor RAN, representing Captain William Martin RAN who is with the First Sea Lord on Board HMAS SYDNEY IV in Australian waters.

Sir Christopher Benson Chairman Britain Australia Society

The Reverend Adrian Gatrill RAF Resident Chaplain St Clement Danes

The Reverend Roland Wort RN Chaplain HMS Nelson

Captain Gen Uwe Hovorka MA. German Naval Attaché

The Families of the ROYAL NAVY men who perished:

Ms Carol Martin - Leslie Martin RN - Steward - Niece

Mrs Dinah Dwyer (nee Montgomery) Lt Com Clive Montgomery RN - Exec Officer - Cousin

Mr David Frith - Willian Railoton Frith – Petty Officer RN - Brother

Andrew Potts - Sydney McCulloch RN - Able Seaman - Great Nephew

Dennis Jeffs - Francis William Jeffs RN - Ordinary Seaman - Great Nephew

Edmund Jones - Philip Jones RN - Chief Petty Officer - Son

Ruan McWilliam - Lt Com Michael Morgan Singer DSC RN - Gunnery Officer – Nephew

Mr Nigel Cole - Lt Com John Alan Cole RN - Engineering Officer - Nephew

Andrew Hasker - Surgeon Commander RAN - Great Nephew

Legatees, including Past President Max Phillips, widows, including Liz O’Brien, Elaine Woodcraft, Naomi Sinclair, representatives of Australian Agents General, Britain Australia Society, Australia Business, ICAA, CPA Australia, members of the Press, TV and Radio, Friends All.

The Anthem we have selected will be sung by Helen Park a member of the Choir at St Clement Danes and the resident organist is Peter Long. Just 3 weeks ago Lt Com David Woodcraft died after a long illness, he served on HMAS SYDNEY III in Vietnam and remained a staunch member of the HMAS SYDNEY Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans Association since its inception as its representative in the UK, and 10 years ago, he became involved in London Legacy serving firstly as Treasurer and then President. I succeeded David in both these roles. Today’s special service has been arranged by us his friends and colleagues, knowing how dedicated David was to the Royal Australian Navy and his London Legacy widows. His wife Elaine is with us today with her family.

The ANTHEM is dedicated to David and all the men who perished 67 years ago, doing their duty to their Countries.

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