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Posted by David Sexton
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21 April, 2026
THE courage and sacrifice of members of Australian merchant seamen during both world wars has been remembered during a service at Rookwood Merchant Navy Columbarium, Sydney, over the weekend.
The 61st such annual commemoration was led by Sean Barrett, chair of the Merchant Navy War Memorial Fund.
Opening the event, Mr Barrett noted the passing of time and that “the ranks of our surviving veterans are thinning”.
“Regrettably, for the first time, we have no veterans well enough to be in attendance today, making our gathering to mark their service and sacrifice all the more important,” he said.
He acknowledged those who had ‘crossed the bar’ since the last commemoration — in particular WWII veterans Don Caporn, Peter Lucas, and Fredrick Walker (Mr Walker’s son Scott attended) and all members of Merchant Navy Organisations.
Mention was also made of current conflicts ongoing in the world, particularly in the Persian Gulf, where many hundreds of merchant seamen are potentially in peril at the Strait of Hormuz.
Guest of was Captain Mark McIntosh, RAN (Rtd), who delivered the 2026 Merchant Navy Address.
Image: MNWMF
Others in attendance were Captain Doctor John Vassiliadis, RAN, representing the Commander of the Australian Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, and Commander Zia Jones, RNZN, representing the New Zealand High Commission.
Officiating clergy were Sister Mary Leahy, chaplain of Stella Maris Sydney, and John Kewa, lay chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers, Port Kembla.
Sister Mary opened the service with a short blessing which was followed by the first hymn, Abide with Me, led by Finola McMahon.
Prayers of intercession and thanksgiving were delivered by John Kewa, lay chaplain at Port Kembla Mission to Seafarers, followed by the naval hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save.
The ode was led by Captain Ted van Bronswijk, director MNWMF and federal and Sydney master, The Company of Master Mariners Australia.
The Last Post was then played followed by a minute’s silence and the wreath-laying ceremony.
The final prayer and benediction were performed by Sister Mary.
