What a year for HMAS Brunei

11 November 2010

The crew of HMAS Brunei have had a busy year, with a three month deployment to Operation ANODE in the Solomon Islands.

CO, Lieutenant Carl Jordan says the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an unusual part of our region and play a key role in an operation which remains critical to maintaining security in the area.

“There were so many highlights; it’s hard to list them all!” LEUT Jordan admits.” The Op tempo was brisk but when we could get away, it was fantastic to be able to mix with the local people. We also grabbed the opportunity to see first hand the legacy of past conflicts.”

The Solomon Islands is peaceful now but the islands also bear the distinct scars from bloody Naval and land battles of World War II.

The Brunei crew embarked on World War II battlefield tours which included descriptions of famous sea battles. While most of the sunken warships of Iron Bottom Sound lie in several hundred meters of water there are some ships and submarines close enough to the coast to be dived and snorkelled on. The pristine, clear waters provided the crew with a chance to experience some of the best wreck dives and snorkelling not only in the Pacific, but also the world.

Some other important historical battlefield sites visited included Alligator Creek, Bloody Ridge, Coffin Corner, and The Gifu. One tour group was lucky enough to have Australian expatriate John Innes as their guide. Mr. Innes detailed knowledge of those grim days in 1942 and early 1943 captivated those on the tour. The opportunities to travel outside of the capital Honiara have also allowed the crew to discover how friendly and helpful the locals are, especially if you need some help in finding specific dive sites or battle sites.

On the morning of the 9 Aug 2010, the crew of HMAS Brunei participated in a Memorial Service to remember the sinking of HMAS Canberra (I) I (CAPT Harold Getting) during the Battle of Savo Island in1942. Almost 70 years later, members of HMAS Brunei’s ships company formed the catafalque party.

HMAS Canberra was a County Class Heavy Cruiser with an armament of 8x8-inch guns, 4x4-inch guns and 4x3-pounder guns. Canberra was struck by two torpedoes on her starboard side and over 20 salvoes of 8-inch shellfire. With no power and the ship listing, the survivors were transferred to USS Paterson and USS Blue.

That same month, Brunei’s crew joined HMAS Wewak (Lieutenant Rob Smilie) to attend the Guadalcanal Day Commemorative Service at the US War Memorial, overlooking Honiara.

Speeches stressed the importance of the sacrifice of these brave marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen, in the struggle against the Japanese Empire during the war but also and more importantly the context their struggle and principles meant in the peace that followed.

Another service was held at the Pt Cruz Yacht Club, the site of one of the most heroic action of the Campaign. Signalman 1st Class Monro (USCG) was posthumously awarded the US highest honour, the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courage and valour during this battle.

Marines pinned down by heavy Japanese fire on the site of the present building, by placing his Higgins boat landing craft between them and enemy fire allowing the Marines to evacuate themselves from the area during several return trips. On the last trip he was mortally wounded, but successfully managed to evacuate all the Marines and wounded from the area.

LEUT Jordan says the yacht club ceremony was an emotional experience.” We were able to honour the sacrifice of Monroe at the yacht club site with a simple service”, LEUT Jordan recalls. “It was an honour for all of us to be part of it.”

Ceremonies aside, some of Brunei’s ships company were able to pay their own more personal tributes to those who risked their lives in war.

SBLT Richard Martin, LSMT Wilson, SMNGX Martin Pope, SMNGX Nick Love escorted a tour group from the United States which included US Navy veteran Master Chief Theiron “Mac” Mackay on a trip to Tulaghi Island to view the battlefields.

Master Chief Mackay was serving onboard USS Landing Ship Tank (LST) 342 during the battle of Guadalcanal, when LST 342 was hit by a Japanese torpedo. Thrown into the water, Mackay almost drowned until the bow section of 342 floated by. He swam over and managed to haul himself up the sharp metal bulkheads, being assisted on the deck by some embarked soldiers who survived the attack.

Mackay has returned many times to the bow section that saved his life that night and placed a wreath upon the deck of LST 342 in memory of the fallen men aboard her.

After pulling alongside the remaining bow section of LST 342 a small ceremony was conducted to remember the ultimate sacrifice these sailors made during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Mac and his family were deeply touched by the generosity of RAMSI and the crew of BRUNEI, in particular allowing this special man a chance to remember his fallen shipmates.

When time allowed, Brunei’s ships company also grabbed the opportunity to enjoy themselves. Who wouldn’t pass up the chance to swim in a beautiful tropical location?! While anchored near the small township of Yandina, in the Russell Is, the local children paddled out to the ship in hand crafted dugout canoes and laughed as the crew swam around them. Some brave individuals took up offers from the children to learn how to paddle one of these canoes. LEUT Jordan says it was tougher than it looked.” It can only be said that the local children were far better at it than the average Australian sailor – most of us struggled with this unique traditional form of transport”, LEUT Jordan said. “But the crew always responded positively and with enthusiasm to any obstacle put before them!'.

HMAS Brunei returned to HMAS Cairns in September. “Its always great to get home,” LEUT Jordan said. “But I think all of us have returned with a far greater understanding of our role in the Pacific region and the role we played in its past.”

Image Gallery

Chief marine Technician Mathew Philp and Leading Seaman Michael Wilson check the oil in the engine room on HMAS Brunei.

Officer of the Watch (OOW) Sub Lieutenant Richard Martin marks HMAS Brunei's location on a chart on transit to Honiara, in the Solomon Islands.

Seaman General Experience Sailor Nicolas Love paints the back of the ten inch light with the RAMSI logo during HMAS Brunei's deployment in the Solomon Islands.

Seaman General Experience Sailor Martin Pope on the port bridge wing of HMAS Brunei, at sea in the Solomon Islands.

Able Seaman Clearance Diver Rob Panetta steers the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) away from HMAS Brunei to an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) dive site in the Solomon Islands.

HMAS Wewak and HMAS Brunei cooks, Able Seaman Kris Kneeller (left) and Able Seaman Tyson McDonald select local fruit at the Honiara Markets for resupply while on deployment in the Solomon Islands.

Seaman Cook (SMNCK) Andrew Smith cleans fruit purchased from the markets in Honiara.

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