Montevideo Maru 2022.
Montevideo Maru Service, Anzac Square. Brisbane, 2022.
A wet day in Brisbane saw 33 Assn Members and Friends attend the 80th Anniversary Remembrance Service for the 1053 soldiers and civilians who perished on the “Montevideo Maru”. The loss of 845 Australian POWs and 208 civilian internees remains the worst Australian maritime disaster. 36 NGVR soldiers were among the POWs.
One of the tragedies about this was the fact that families of those lost were not notified until some months after WW11 finished—over 3 years after the event.
In 1994 our Association commenced holding a service to remember the sinking of the “Montevideo Maru” and this was the only orgainsed service in Australia for many years.
Guests included:-
Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD.—Association Patron
Councillor for Forest Lakes, Charles Strunk
Mr Mike Harris, President, Aust American Assn , Qld.
Ms Teresa Pokja, Treasurer, Aust American Association, Qld.
Ms Jenny Gregory, President, Australian War Widows, Qld.
Ms Judy Smith, President elect, Aust War Widows, Qld.
Major Scott Allen, Salvation Army ( Minister and bugler)
Mr Lawrence Geldard from Tasmania (son of Garth Geldard, NGVR , Ng4062, executed at Tol)
Ms Pam McCreadie, Jimboomba Cadets
Museum Curator Paul Brown as MC opened the proceedings and introduced Assn President Phil Ainsworth for his opening address and Patron Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. For his moving address on the sacrifice and service of those who perished.
Then followed prayers, singing of the National Anthem led by Paul (who will definitely not qualify for “The Voice”).
A morning tea was then held in the room so that all could mingle and speak.
A wonderful ceremony and thanks to the organisers—our Museum volunteers for such a wonderful service.
PNGVR members present were Patron, President, Chaplain Ron MacDonald, Bob Collins, Colin Gould MBE, Paul Brown, Kieran Nelson, Kerry Glover, Kevin Shorthouse OL, Mike Griffin.
The address by Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO, RFD. can be read below.
The address by Association President, Phil Ainsworth can be read below.
One of the tragedies about this was the fact that families of those lost were not notified until some months after WW11 finished—over 3 years after the event.
In 1994 our Association commenced holding a service to remember the sinking of the “Montevideo Maru” and this was the only orgainsed service in Australia for many years.
Guests included:-
Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD.—Association Patron
Councillor for Forest Lakes, Charles Strunk
Mr Mike Harris, President, Aust American Assn , Qld.
Ms Teresa Pokja, Treasurer, Aust American Association, Qld.
Ms Jenny Gregory, President, Australian War Widows, Qld.
Ms Judy Smith, President elect, Aust War Widows, Qld.
Major Scott Allen, Salvation Army ( Minister and bugler)
Mr Lawrence Geldard from Tasmania (son of Garth Geldard, NGVR , Ng4062, executed at Tol)
Ms Pam McCreadie, Jimboomba Cadets
Museum Curator Paul Brown as MC opened the proceedings and introduced Assn President Phil Ainsworth for his opening address and Patron Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. For his moving address on the sacrifice and service of those who perished.
Then followed prayers, singing of the National Anthem led by Paul (who will definitely not qualify for “The Voice”).
A morning tea was then held in the room so that all could mingle and speak.
A wonderful ceremony and thanks to the organisers—our Museum volunteers for such a wonderful service.
PNGVR members present were Patron, President, Chaplain Ron MacDonald, Bob Collins, Colin Gould MBE, Paul Brown, Kieran Nelson, Kerry Glover, Kevin Shorthouse OL, Mike Griffin.
The address by Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO, RFD. can be read below.
The address by Association President, Phil Ainsworth can be read below.
| montevideo_maru_address_by_patron_maj_gen_john_pearn_ao_rds.pdf |
| montevideo_maru_address____president_phil_ainsworth.pdf |
Association Patron Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. delivering his address.
Museum Curator and MC for the day Paul Brown sitting.
Museum Curator and MC for the day Paul Brown sitting.
Association President Phil Ainsworth giving address. Paul Brown sitting.
The crowd gathering prior to the service.
Association Committee Member Mike Griffin saying the Ode. Paul Brown in background.
Association Chaplain Ron MacDonald leading prayers.
The Memorial Plaque to the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles in the Hall of Memories, Anzac Square, Brisbane.
Maj Gen Pearn AO. RFD. and Phil Ainsworth laying an Association wreath.
RABAUL PNG. 2022
During the Rabaul Service. Note the Australian, British and Norwegian Flags to denote the nationality of those lost on the "Montevideo Maru" together with the PNG flag. A number of the civilians on the "Montevideo Maru" were from the Norwegian ship "Herstein" which was in Rabaul to load copra when the Japanese invaded.
CANBERRA
The National 80th Anniversary Montevideo Maru Commemorative Ceremony was held at the Stone of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial Canberra at the same time as our service.
The national service attracted 130 attendees many from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and NSW. The catafalque party was provided by the Australian Federation Guard with the band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Colonel James Kidd DSM CSM, representing the Chief of Army was the keynote speaker. His tribute to those affected by those early days of WWII in the Pacific and his understanding of the significance of this event to the families involved was warmly received.
Wreaths were laid by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, the PNG High Commissioner to Australia, the Ambassador of Norway to Australia, and representatives for the Chief of the Defence Force, PNGAA, RSL of Australia, NGVR & PNGVR Association, 2/22nd Battalion /Lark Force Association, 1 Independent Company , Australian War Widows Australia, Salvation Army and Chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial.
We are most appreciative for Member Michael White representing our Association to lay the wreath and read the Ode.
This was followed by Kylie Adams-Collier giving a special performance of her song ‘Montevideo Maru 1942’, the Ode read by NGVR & PNGVR Association member Michael White and thank you and farewell by Andrea Williams .
The ABC and Sky News photographers attended the service which was featured on ABC News in Canberra that evening. Photographs were taken by the AWM photographer.
The Last Post Service at the AWM on the evening of 1 July 2022 acknowledged the service of Corporal George William Spensley NG4031 of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and the sinking of Montevideo Maru.
Wreaths were laid by his daughter, Gillian Nikakis, and his descendants, Ross Johnson, representing the NGVR/PNGVR Ex members Association, Andrea Williams, representing the PNGAA and John Reeves, representing the Rabaul Historical Society. It was special to have the NGVR highlighted and we thank Member Ross Johnson for representing us.
That evening a commemorative dinner was held at Rydges Canberra with an attendance of over a 100. The Commemorative Address by David Horner AM covered the broader worldwide situation in the early years of WWII and how it affected the New Guinea islands and Australia. His address was outstanding. The address will be available on the website at www.montevideo-maru.org under 80th anniversary.
Phil Ainsworth.
The National 80th Anniversary Montevideo Maru Commemorative Ceremony was held at the Stone of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial Canberra at the same time as our service.
The national service attracted 130 attendees many from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and NSW. The catafalque party was provided by the Australian Federation Guard with the band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Colonel James Kidd DSM CSM, representing the Chief of Army was the keynote speaker. His tribute to those affected by those early days of WWII in the Pacific and his understanding of the significance of this event to the families involved was warmly received.
Wreaths were laid by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, the PNG High Commissioner to Australia, the Ambassador of Norway to Australia, and representatives for the Chief of the Defence Force, PNGAA, RSL of Australia, NGVR & PNGVR Association, 2/22nd Battalion /Lark Force Association, 1 Independent Company , Australian War Widows Australia, Salvation Army and Chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial.
We are most appreciative for Member Michael White representing our Association to lay the wreath and read the Ode.
This was followed by Kylie Adams-Collier giving a special performance of her song ‘Montevideo Maru 1942’, the Ode read by NGVR & PNGVR Association member Michael White and thank you and farewell by Andrea Williams .
The ABC and Sky News photographers attended the service which was featured on ABC News in Canberra that evening. Photographs were taken by the AWM photographer.
The Last Post Service at the AWM on the evening of 1 July 2022 acknowledged the service of Corporal George William Spensley NG4031 of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and the sinking of Montevideo Maru.
Wreaths were laid by his daughter, Gillian Nikakis, and his descendants, Ross Johnson, representing the NGVR/PNGVR Ex members Association, Andrea Williams, representing the PNGAA and John Reeves, representing the Rabaul Historical Society. It was special to have the NGVR highlighted and we thank Member Ross Johnson for representing us.
That evening a commemorative dinner was held at Rydges Canberra with an attendance of over a 100. The Commemorative Address by David Horner AM covered the broader worldwide situation in the early years of WWII and how it affected the New Guinea islands and Australia. His address was outstanding. The address will be available on the website at www.montevideo-maru.org under 80th anniversary.
Phil Ainsworth.
Above. Michael White preparing to lay a wreath on behalf of the NGVR/PNGVR. Other wreaths were for 2/22nd Bn and 1 Ind Coy.
Below. Michael White paying his respects after the laying of he wreath.
Below. Michael White paying his respects after the laying of he wreath.
Ross Johnson with a wreath for he NGVR/PNGVR at the Last Post Ceremony that evening in Canberra.
Ross Johnson's display for the NGVR and the Montevideo Maru at the dinner at Rydges
Ross ant Pat Johnson's display featuring the re dedication of the NGVR/ANGAU and PIR Plaques at the AWM in 2007
Plaque to Lark Force at the AWM Canberra
