Monthly Archives: November 2009

The Passing of a Mate

It is with sadness that I must say goodbye to another mate John (Burberry) Cheal who crossed the bar on the 25th. November at times like this one tends to remember or tries to recall the past events that forged a Mateship.A true mate is someone who will share his last piece of food with you, even give you his last can of cold beer on a scorching hot day.  He will defend you against much greater odds.  He will stick up for you when you are being slandered or attacked, even at the risk of losing his own reputation, job, or whatever is at stake – even his head.  A mate is the one person who will come, sit and yarn with you when everyone else has turned their back.  A mate is the epitome of the Good Samaritan.  He will stick by you through thick and thin. John our friendship was forged 55years ago at recruits school,  may you have fair winds and smooth seas to your final mooring with the Great MarinerBurberry 2.

Shipmates Remembered

A Sailors Ode

Let this be an Ode to the men

Who will never sail again;

The men who in the glory of their proud spirits

And unselfish madness of their heroism

Have reached their harbour on the other side

May peace and trnquillity be theirs always.

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 not grow old as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them nor the years condem

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

LEST WE FORGET68wreaths 3

Remembrance Day

Poppies

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row.

They mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

 

Plaque & Honour Board Dedication

On the 29th. Nov.2009 at 1100hrs at the Maritime Museum South Bank Brisbane, the unveiling of a plaque & plinth and the dedication of an FESR Honour Board to be attached to the fwd. deck bulkhead of the Diamantina will climax another first for the FESR Navy Association QLD. Div. This is the third memorial plaque in QLD. dedicated to the Ships and Crews who served in the Far East Strategic Reserve 1955-1971. It is the first time that one has been erected in a Maritime Museum and the first FESR Honour Board to be placed in a heritage listed naval vessel. The fight for recognition of our service started 11 years ago and while we were successful in some of our initial aims full recognition somehow seems to evade us. These plaque dedication ceremonies are a material way for us to leave a lasting memorial to the future generations and in doing so helps to keep our service in the annals of our countries Naval History. FESR members and friends,ex-naval personal are cordilally invited to attend the ceremony.

.Plq09

SeaPower Video 1960 SEATO Sea Devil Exercise

 This new video from the SeaPower site should bring back a few memories I recognised a couple of old faces maybe you will too http://www.navy.gov.au/History