Montevideo Maru 2018
Montevideo Maru Memorial Service, Brisbane
A fine and sunny 1st July saw over 50 people attend the annual Montevideo Maru service at the Cenotaph in Brisbane. Guests included the PNG Consul General in Brisbane, Mr Jimmy Ere Avia, the State President of the War Widows Queensland, Mrs Jenny Gregory, Colonel Ashley Gunder representative for the Commander of Australian 1st Division, Enoggera, the immediate past President of the PNGAA, Ms Andrea Williams, the President of NSSAQ, Mr Alex Garland, Ms Pam McCreadie representative for Councillor Charles Strunk, Forest Lake Ward, BCC, Mr John Reese, Bugler and member Mr Rudy Buckley who, as an 11 year old, watched as the POWs and civilian internees embarked on the Montevideo Maru at Rabaul wharf on 22nd June 1942.
We are indebted again to the Jimboomba Army Cadets who formed the Catafalque party Guard during the Commemorative Service. Our Patron Major-General John Pearn gave a very well received address which described the invasion of Rabaul and the conditions in the Civilian & POW camp prior to departure, the events leading up to and after the sinking.
The closing prayer was given by Chaplain Ron MacDonald from the Brisbane Salvation Army City Mission. The history of the Montevideo Maru is well known to the Salvation Army as the 2/22 Bn Band comprised mostly Salvation Army bandsmen.
After the service guests were served light refreshments at the Adani Apartments Hotel opposite the Central Railway Station. The scones were up to their usual standard.
A fine and sunny 1st July saw over 50 people attend the annual Montevideo Maru service at the Cenotaph in Brisbane. Guests included the PNG Consul General in Brisbane, Mr Jimmy Ere Avia, the State President of the War Widows Queensland, Mrs Jenny Gregory, Colonel Ashley Gunder representative for the Commander of Australian 1st Division, Enoggera, the immediate past President of the PNGAA, Ms Andrea Williams, the President of NSSAQ, Mr Alex Garland, Ms Pam McCreadie representative for Councillor Charles Strunk, Forest Lake Ward, BCC, Mr John Reese, Bugler and member Mr Rudy Buckley who, as an 11 year old, watched as the POWs and civilian internees embarked on the Montevideo Maru at Rabaul wharf on 22nd June 1942.
We are indebted again to the Jimboomba Army Cadets who formed the Catafalque party Guard during the Commemorative Service. Our Patron Major-General John Pearn gave a very well received address which described the invasion of Rabaul and the conditions in the Civilian & POW camp prior to departure, the events leading up to and after the sinking.
The closing prayer was given by Chaplain Ron MacDonald from the Brisbane Salvation Army City Mission. The history of the Montevideo Maru is well known to the Salvation Army as the 2/22 Bn Band comprised mostly Salvation Army bandsmen.
After the service guests were served light refreshments at the Adani Apartments Hotel opposite the Central Railway Station. The scones were up to their usual standard.