Media Statement - 19th November 2008
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon, MP has joined families at the reburial of HMAS Sydney II’s unknown sailor in Geraldton, Western Australia.
Sixty seven years after HMAS Sydney II’s loss, Mr Fitzgibbon was joined by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane AM CSM and hundreds of HMAS Sydney II families for a memorial service. The reburial took place a short time later at the Geraldton Cemetery.
“Today we honour those who gave their lives all those years ago, in order that we may enjoy freedom, liberty and democracy today. We also honour all those who went before them and those who came after them, giving their lives for their country," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“HMAS Sydney II left behind a proud legacy that is kept alive in the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, who serve this nation with courage, dedication and distinction.”
“As the nation united in grief in 1941, it came together today to remember the courage and sacrifice of the men lost with HMAS Sydney II,” Mr Snowdon said.
Bereavement pins were distributed at the church service to the family members of those fallen to help commemorate the loss of those lives.
HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in
November 1941 off Western Australia with its entire crew, following a fierce
engagement with the German raider HSK
Kormoran. It was Australia’s greatest maritime loss with the death of 645
men. The remains of a crew member were located on Christmas Island by a Navy
archeological team in October 2006. On 16 March
this year, the wreck of HMAS Sydney
II was found.
NOTE: Further information on HMAS Sydney
II and the search can be found at the following links:
www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/ships/sydney2.html
www.findingsydney.com/search.asp