Shrine Monthly Remembrance Service - March 2012 18 March 2012, 02:00PM

In later conflicts, Australians served in a wide variety of theatres, both as combatants and as peacekeepers, as the need arose. Many Australian men and women are currently serving overseas.

Today we remember, in particular, those who served in the following ships and units:
 

The Great War

Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Melbourne: a light cruiser which served in European waters throughout the war, including service with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea.

HMAS Coogee: a former ferry converted to a patrol boat which served in Australian waters throughout the war.

Australian Army

Headquarters, 4th Field Artillery Brigade: Comprising 10th, 11th and 12th Batteries, served on the Western Front in support of Australian Infantry Divisions.

Australian Flying Corps No.1 Flying Squadron, served in Egypt from 1916-18.

Australian Flying Corps No.2 Flying Squadron, served on the Western Front 1916-18

Australian Flying Corps No.4 Flying Squadron, served on the Western Front 1916-18.

The Aeroplane Squadron.

Second World War

Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth (I): served in the Mediterranean where it fought in the Battle of Matapan in March 1941. On 1 March 1942, together with USS Houston it engaged a Japanese fleet at the Battle of Sunda Straits. HMAS Perth lost 357 lives and of the 342 men who survived and were taken into Japanese captivity, 106 died.

Other

The War Widows & Widowed Mothers Association has held its annual service of remembrance at the Shrine since 1934. The service is held in March each year and commemorates both the sacrifice of soldiers and the grief of those left behind.
 
 

Wreath Laying in the Sanctuary

Shrine Representative: Shrine Governor Lieutenant Colonel Don Reid; Shrine Governor Squadron Leader Ron Ledingham