Montevideo Maru, Eternal Flame, Anzac Square, Brisbane, 2008.
Our annual 1st July Montevideo Maru Memorial Service was well attended, about 50, although again, the press did not think it was newsworthy. This years service was given greater momentum by " the Finding the Montevideo Maru Foundation" sponsored by Cynthia Schmidt and Clive Troy. Two Liberal politicians, Senator Russell Trood (Qld) and Stuart Robert (Fadden) turned up and said they would be supporting the Foundation’s work.
John Schindler and his camera crew arrived and filmed the service and afterwards interviewed Rudy Buckley with the handkerchief thrown to him by CpI O’Neil in June 1942 . as well as other people whose relations were aboard the Montevideo Maru.
An interesting development is that Max Hayes, ex- RPNGC 1959-1974 , told us about a women in Brisbane, who was romantically linked with CpI O'Neil before he went to Rabaul. John Holland and Rudy Buckley visited this lady and she gave the Museum photographs of O’Neil in Rabaul and copies of letters from him. John said the meetings were very emotional. The lady also had the handkerchief properly framed and presented it to the Museum. Further, it appears that CpI O'Neil was in the militia before he joined the AIF, in hindsight an ill fated move.
Max Hayes is preparing a paper with photographs about the six memorials, of which he is aware .commemorating the Montevideo Maru victims. His paper should be published in our Harim Tok Tok before the end of the year.
There is a move for another plaque at Subic Bay in the Philippines to be dedicated on Armistice Day 2008. The plaque is to be placed on an existing massive " Hell Ships " Memorial erected by the US Navy. Subic Bay was up to 1992 a huge US Naval Base and is now a very busy free trading port, situated about 100km north of Manila. It is arguably the closest and best location for such a plaque, as it is less than 150 km south of the Montevideo Maru’s resting place. The Association is supporting this project and we are seeking assistance from the Australian Government for the cost of the plaque and for representation at the ceremony on 11th November. Clive Troy, who has business interests there, is our representative organising the Philippines end.
Incidentally there is a petition circulating for presenting to the Federal Government by years end for similar assistance it provided for finding HMAS Sydney. This petition is sponsored by the" Finding the Montevideo Maru Foundation". Our Association supports this petition. Copies will soon be emailed round and/or attached to our next Harim Tok Tok for your consideration. If you require more information, please speak directly with Cynthia or Clive,
John Schindler and his camera crew arrived and filmed the service and afterwards interviewed Rudy Buckley with the handkerchief thrown to him by CpI O’Neil in June 1942 . as well as other people whose relations were aboard the Montevideo Maru.
An interesting development is that Max Hayes, ex- RPNGC 1959-1974 , told us about a women in Brisbane, who was romantically linked with CpI O'Neil before he went to Rabaul. John Holland and Rudy Buckley visited this lady and she gave the Museum photographs of O’Neil in Rabaul and copies of letters from him. John said the meetings were very emotional. The lady also had the handkerchief properly framed and presented it to the Museum. Further, it appears that CpI O'Neil was in the militia before he joined the AIF, in hindsight an ill fated move.
Max Hayes is preparing a paper with photographs about the six memorials, of which he is aware .commemorating the Montevideo Maru victims. His paper should be published in our Harim Tok Tok before the end of the year.
There is a move for another plaque at Subic Bay in the Philippines to be dedicated on Armistice Day 2008. The plaque is to be placed on an existing massive " Hell Ships " Memorial erected by the US Navy. Subic Bay was up to 1992 a huge US Naval Base and is now a very busy free trading port, situated about 100km north of Manila. It is arguably the closest and best location for such a plaque, as it is less than 150 km south of the Montevideo Maru’s resting place. The Association is supporting this project and we are seeking assistance from the Australian Government for the cost of the plaque and for representation at the ceremony on 11th November. Clive Troy, who has business interests there, is our representative organising the Philippines end.
Incidentally there is a petition circulating for presenting to the Federal Government by years end for similar assistance it provided for finding HMAS Sydney. This petition is sponsored by the" Finding the Montevideo Maru Foundation". Our Association supports this petition. Copies will soon be emailed round and/or attached to our next Harim Tok Tok for your consideration. If you require more information, please speak directly with Cynthia or Clive,
Rudy Buckley, Bruce Crawford OAM, Douglas Ng prior to the ceremony.
Phil Ainsworth (Centre) with the Salvation Army representative and ?.
Gerry McGrade and Bill McGrath after the service.
John Holland after laying a wreath.
Norm Mundy after laying a wreath.
Douglas Ng and Rudy Buckley with the handkerchief thrown to him by Cpl Barry O'Neil.
?, Bruce Crawford, Phil Ainsworth, Mal Zimmerman, Rudy Buckley, Doug Ng, Jesse Chee, watch Norm Mundy after he lays the wreath.
Enjoying a cuppa after the ceremony. Bruce Crawford, ?, Bill McGrath.
