On Wednesday September 2nd, Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch and Pittwater RSL Club Ltd held two very important commemoration services. The services where COVID safe with a limited number of 25 guests to recognise the importance that the Merchant Navy played during the Second World War.
Our guest speaker was Pittwater Sub-Branch Member Joe Crumlin OAM, Australian Merchant Navy and Master Mariner. Joe gave an amazing historical account of the importance of the Merchant Navy to WWI and WWI. Pastor Glenn Wysman consecrated the Merchant Navy Emblem, he recited the Merchant Navy prayer:
In grateful thanksgiving to the world’s Merchant Seafarers whose hard labours at sea have in the past and continue to this day to bring all nations together and make international commerce possible.
And in loving memory of those Merchant Seafarers who have lost their lives, or been injured, sailing the perilous seas in times of peace; and those who have sailed into harm’s way in times of war and lost their lives or were maimed.
In deepest admiration for the Merchant Seafarers who have died, been wounded, or held captive due to acts of piracy on the high seas.
“Blessed are they who go down to the sea in ships” Psalm 107:23
Pittwater Sub-Branch Member Joe Crumlin OAM - photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography
Merchant Navy Plaque Dedication - photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography
The rest of the service was a traditional RSL Sub-Branch tribute with the laying of a wreath by Brian Sargeson RN, followed by the Ode of Remembrance, the Last Post and Rouse and finally Advance Australia Fair played on the bugle (no singing).
The second dedication service occurred immediately after the first service where five WWII Veterans where showcased. The Honorable Bronwyn Bishop was our guest speaker to help commemorate the signing of the surrender document by the Japanese on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on the 2nd September 1945, and the official ending of WWII for the Asia Pacific. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was the written agreement that formalised the surrender of the Empire of Japan, marking the end of hostilities in World War II. It was signed by representatives from the Empire of Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of Canada, the Provisional Government of the French Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dominion of New Zealand.
The Honorable Bronwyn Bishop OA - Ex Minister for the Defence Industry, Science and Personnel in the Howard Government in 1988, shared with us her experiences walking the Kokoda Track as well as the relevance of Australia’s involvement in the Pacific during WWII.
Honorable Bronwyn Bishop OA - photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography
The iconic “Dancing Man Plaque”, which represented Victory in the Pacific and the official End of WWII, was consecrated by Pastor Glenn Wysman of the Link Church Warriewood:
Almighty God, by whose mercy the souls of the faithful rest in peace, we remember with thanksgiving, those heroic servicemen and Women who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war. We pray that their suffering and the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom, and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.
We pray for all Servicemen and Servicewomen who serve and have served in the Defence Force of our Nation. May those who now serve, continue in the traditions established by those who have gone before them, to the honour and glory of your name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The rest of the service was a traditional RSL Sub-Branch tribute with the laying of a wreath by WWII Veteran Bert Brownlie RAAF, followed by the Ode of Remembrance, the Last Post and Rouse and finally Advance Australia Fair played on the bugle (no singing).
Bert Brownlie RAAF - photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography
The people who attended this moving service were our five WWII Veterans Donald Newport MZ 2/12th Commando Squadron of the 2nd Ninth Regiment, Bert Brownliee RAAF, Brian Sargeson Royal Navy, Tommy Knox RAF Bomber Command, Brian Heal Royal Navy and their carers, officials of Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch and Pittwater RSL Club Ltd, our guest speakers Honorable Bronwyn Bishop OA and Joe Crumlin OAM, Afghanistan Veteran Sub Lieutenant Zamri Burns was flag bearer, Bugler Harriett Channon. Finally Beryl Clarke (nee Byron) who was an 11 year old girl when her three brothers and sister went off to the War, recounted the joy she experienced when her brothers and sister names appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald to say they were safely coming home from the War.
Deborah Carter – Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch President
LEST WE FORGET.
