MONTEVIDEO MARU 2023.
Attached is a flyer inviting members and friends to attend the Mornington Peninsula, Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Commemorative Seat and Story Board unveiling and Service. It is to be held 11am Monday 23 January 2023. NGVR’s part is highlighted on the storyboard.
Following representations by Gillian Nikakis, the daughter of NGVR soldier Cpl George William (Bill) Spensley NG4031 lost on the Montevideo Maru, the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group (R&MVM) of the PNGAA has sponsored the placement of a commemorative seat and storyboard at the Mornington Memorial Gardens in conjunction with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Victoria.
Cpl Spensley’s story was highlighted at the AWM’S Last Post Ceremony on 1st July 2022 (see my update in HTT 135). NGVR’s part is highlighted on the storyboard. Without Andrea Williams’, (member of PNGAA and chair of the R&MVM Group) dedication in arranging this initiative, this would not have occurred - well done and thank you Andrea and PNGAA.
As President of our Association ,a committee member of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group and the PNGAA, I will be attending the Service with Andrea. It would be wonderful for our members and friends , particularly those who live in Victoria , can attend. Members dress should be our Anzac Day dress with medals.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.
Phil Ainsworth. 13 Dec. 2022
Following representations by Gillian Nikakis, the daughter of NGVR soldier Cpl George William (Bill) Spensley NG4031 lost on the Montevideo Maru, the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group (R&MVM) of the PNGAA has sponsored the placement of a commemorative seat and storyboard at the Mornington Memorial Gardens in conjunction with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Victoria.
Cpl Spensley’s story was highlighted at the AWM’S Last Post Ceremony on 1st July 2022 (see my update in HTT 135). NGVR’s part is highlighted on the storyboard. Without Andrea Williams’, (member of PNGAA and chair of the R&MVM Group) dedication in arranging this initiative, this would not have occurred - well done and thank you Andrea and PNGAA.
As President of our Association ,a committee member of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Group and the PNGAA, I will be attending the Service with Andrea. It would be wonderful for our members and friends , particularly those who live in Victoria , can attend. Members dress should be our Anzac Day dress with medals.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.
Phil Ainsworth. 13 Dec. 2022
MONTEVIDEO MARU SERVICE, ANZAC SQUARE, BRISBANE.
24 Assoc members and Friends as well as descendants of those lost on the Montevideo Maru and their friends attended this special service in Brisbane, the first conducted since the finding of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru off the coast of the Philippines in April this year.
Unfortunately for us another service, Reserve Forces Day Service, was conducted in the grounds of ANZAC Square and, as it was more visible than ours held in the Post WW11 Room, several people who intended to attend our service ended up attending that one instead. As Belinda McCarthy said when she made her way to the room after both services had concluded and we were having a cup of tea/coffee and refreshments “I sat through the service waiting for someone to mention the Montevideo Maru and when nothing was said I asked someone why not and was directed here”.
A special feature this year was the showing on the screen of a number of underwater photos taken at the time of the finding of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru. Some of those shots can be seen on the photos below and more on the web site.
M.C. Paul Brown opened proceedings and introduced Assn Vice President, Bob Collins, who was standing in for President, Phil Ainsworth, who was in Canberra with other members of the Silent World Foundation, the finders of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru. Bob welcomed all and read out an address from Phil which briefly addressed the discovery of the wreck.
Assn Patron Maj. Gen. Professor John Pearn AO. RFD. then delivered a very insightful address on “Closure—but not Forgotten”, which follows. Then followed prayers by the Assn Chaplain, Ron MacDonald, wreath laying, the Last Post and Reveille and the singing of the National Anthem.
Morning tea with all mingling and talking followed.
A special thanks to our Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO RFD for rising at 3am in Melbourne to ensure he made an early flight from Melbourne which was suffering numerous flight cancellations due to inclement weather and crew shortages.
PNGVR Members present were Patron, Vice President, Chaplain Ron MacDonald and wife Cheryl, Colin Gould MBE, Paul Brown, Mal and Marie Zimmerman, Kieran Nelson who has now become “Snappy Kieran” at events, Tony Boulter and Kevin Shorthouse AM. MBE.
Thank you to our organisers Paul Brown and Colin Gould MBE.
The Patron's address "Closure - but not forgotten" is available below.
Unfortunately for us another service, Reserve Forces Day Service, was conducted in the grounds of ANZAC Square and, as it was more visible than ours held in the Post WW11 Room, several people who intended to attend our service ended up attending that one instead. As Belinda McCarthy said when she made her way to the room after both services had concluded and we were having a cup of tea/coffee and refreshments “I sat through the service waiting for someone to mention the Montevideo Maru and when nothing was said I asked someone why not and was directed here”.
A special feature this year was the showing on the screen of a number of underwater photos taken at the time of the finding of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru. Some of those shots can be seen on the photos below and more on the web site.
M.C. Paul Brown opened proceedings and introduced Assn Vice President, Bob Collins, who was standing in for President, Phil Ainsworth, who was in Canberra with other members of the Silent World Foundation, the finders of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru. Bob welcomed all and read out an address from Phil which briefly addressed the discovery of the wreck.
Assn Patron Maj. Gen. Professor John Pearn AO. RFD. then delivered a very insightful address on “Closure—but not Forgotten”, which follows. Then followed prayers by the Assn Chaplain, Ron MacDonald, wreath laying, the Last Post and Reveille and the singing of the National Anthem.
Morning tea with all mingling and talking followed.
A special thanks to our Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO RFD for rising at 3am in Melbourne to ensure he made an early flight from Melbourne which was suffering numerous flight cancellations due to inclement weather and crew shortages.
PNGVR Members present were Patron, Vice President, Chaplain Ron MacDonald and wife Cheryl, Colin Gould MBE, Paul Brown, Mal and Marie Zimmerman, Kieran Nelson who has now become “Snappy Kieran” at events, Tony Boulter and Kevin Shorthouse AM. MBE.
Thank you to our organisers Paul Brown and Colin Gould MBE.
The Patron's address "Closure - but not forgotten" is available below.
| pngvr_montevideo_maru_service_1_july_2023_patrons_address.pdf |
Front. Colin Gould MBE. Bob Collins, Maj Gen Professor John Pearn AO. RFD.
2nd row. John Davidson, Secretary Aust Commando Assn, Qld Branch, Kevin Shorthouse, AM. OL.
Behind Kevin are Jessica Harrington, Mal and Marie Zimmerman and Tony Boulter.
2nd row. John Davidson, Secretary Aust Commando Assn, Qld Branch, Kevin Shorthouse, AM. OL.
Behind Kevin are Jessica Harrington, Mal and Marie Zimmerman and Tony Boulter.
Assn Vice President Bob Collins delivering the welcoming address. MC Paul Brown in background.
Maj Gen Professor John Pearn AO. RFD. delivering the keynote address "Closure - but not forgotten".
Chaplain Ron MacDonald leading prayers
Patron Maj Gen Professor John Pearn AO. RFD. and Bob Collins after laying wreath.
John Sullivan, Secretary Aust Commando Assn, Qld Branch, after laying wreath.
Assn Secretary, Colin Gould MBE. delivering Ode.
At the end of the service.
L-R. Vice President, Bob Collins, ?, Museum Curator and Welfare Officer, Paul Brown, Patron, Maj Gen Professor John Pearn AO. RFD., Kenneth Duus (grandson of Gilbert Robertson NGVR/ANGAU), John Davidson, Secretary of Australian Commando Association, Qld Branch, Secretary, Colin Gould MBE.
L-R. Vice President, Bob Collins, ?, Museum Curator and Welfare Officer, Paul Brown, Patron, Maj Gen Professor John Pearn AO. RFD., Kenneth Duus (grandson of Gilbert Robertson NGVR/ANGAU), John Davidson, Secretary of Australian Commando Association, Qld Branch, Secretary, Colin Gould MBE.
Above and below. Images that were played on the screen whilst service was in progress.
Below 4 photos of the Montevideo Maru Service held at Rabaul PNG.
A short service at Stanhope Vic.
