Honouring our fallen
HMAS Ballarat paused at sea to honour those who fought and fell in the Battle of Leyte Gulf – one of the largest and most decisive naval battles in history.
CAPTION: Seaman Angus Norbury and Able Seaman Christopher Diviak lay a wreath on board HMAS Ballarat during a service commemorating the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.
As HMAS Ballarat sailed through the Philippine Sea 81 years after the battle, her ship’s company gathered on the flight deck to remember and honour those who served.
In October 1944, Allied forces assembled an armada of more than 600 vessels to begin liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
The Philippine Islands held enormous strategic value, and their liberation involved a series of amphibious operations beginning at Leyte, cutting Japanese shipping routes, severing Japan from her supplies of oil and protecting the flank of US forces advancing through the central Pacific.
Nine vessels joined the operation – HMA ships Australia II, Shropshire, Arunta, Warramunga, Gascoyne, Westralia, Kanimbla and Manoora, and Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1074.
CAPTION: HMAS Ballarat’s ship’s company commemorates the Battle of Leyte Gulf during a regional presence deployment.
Commanding Officer Ballarat Commander Dean Uren, who led the service on board, reflected on the significance of the battle and the sacrifice of Royal Australian Navy sailors who took part in the campaign.
“Today we remember those who served in one of the most pivotal naval battles of the Second World War,” Commander Uren said.
“We may ask ourselves what is it that binds us to these events that occurred a little over 80 years ago and have almost passed from living memory.
“Some of the names have been honoured in our fleet – HMA Submarines Collins and Dechaineaux – but many names associated with this battle have been forgotten to the years.
“Though decades have passed, we who serve today are bound to them by the traditions of the Royal Australian Navy, by our shared values of duty, which we live out today through our service values and in our shared kinship as mariners.”
During the fighting, HMAS Australia was struck by a Japanese dive-bomber and became the first allied vessel at Leyte hit by a suicide aircraft.
CAPTION: Commanding Officer HMAS Ballarat Commander Dean Uren, Command Warrant Officer HMAS Ballarat Warrant Officer Lex Davison, Able Seaman Charley Klaster and Chaplain Lyall Reid, pay their respects during the commemoration of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Thirty Australians were killed and 64 wounded, famously including the ship’s commanding officer, Captain Emile Dechaineux.
The HMAS Ballarat service included an account of the battle, delivered by Able Seaman Charley Klaster, followed by the reading of Psalm 107 and a Naval Collect by Chaplain Lyall Reid.
“We remember them as shipmates – men who lived, laughed and served together,” Commander Uren said.
“And who gave their lives in defence of others.”
Chaplain Reid concluded the commemoration with a prayer.
“Loving God, grant us your peace as we reflect on the members of HMAS Australia who perished in this battle, the many allied and Japanese ships and their companies that rest beneath us,” Chaplain Reid said.
“We leave them now in their place of rest, honoured guardians beneath the sea.
“May the White Ensign ever fly in their memory and may we who sail today never forget the price they paid. “
CAPTION: Chaplain Lyall Reid speaks during the service commemorating the Battle of Leyte Gulf, as HMAS Ballarat transits through the Surigao Strait in the Philippine Archipelago.
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