Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2006/Waterhen remembers

L to R (back row) ABBM Wade Foulis, ABSN Adrian Blood, CO CMDR Glenn Ker and LSCSO Jared Gowen; (front row) PO Bernard Mullane, ABBM Cameron Evans, ABMT Mehdi Javidi and LSBM Adam Hampshire.

Sydney North Shore establishment HMAS Waterhen recently took the 65th anniversary of the sinking of the original HMAS Waterhen to present commendations, promotions and medals and the highly prized John Hammond Trophy.

The destroyer Waterhen sank off Libya after a German air attack in 1941.

The Trophy is presented in memory of LSETP John Hammond who served in HMAS Waterhen before discharge from the RAN. On Anzac Day 1999, he went to the aid of a member of the public who was being robbed. Tragically, this selfless act of caring cost him his life: he was stabbed while helping and died of his injuries.

The award is to promote camaraderie between workmates. Junior sailors vote on who they believe displays the most outstanding service attitude, diligent application to duty and a happy disposition as exemplified by the late LS Hammond.

Winner of the Trophy, presented by the father of LS Hammond, was ABCSOMW John Carter.

AB Carter receiving the John Hammond Trophy from John Hammond Senior at HMAS Waterhen.

Pics by ABPH Brenton Freind show