Lest We Forget Tribute

01/06/2026

Remembering today the 84th Anniversary of HMAS Kuttabul

01/06/2026

Today marks the 84th Anniversary of the WWII Kuttabul attack when 21 Navy sailors tragically perished in Sydney Harbour.

During this year's ANZAC TRIBUTE, we were honoured to remember the 21 sailors who died in the Kuttabul tragedy with Kuttabul remembered in:

i) The Boats Commemoration coordinated by Surf Life Saving NSW & Rowing NSW; and

ii) The special Laying of 21 Wreaths by the Royal Australian Navy.

THE STORY OF HMAS KUTTABUL:

Late in the evening of 31st May 1942, three Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour, avoided the anti-submarine boom net, and attempted to sink Allied warships.

Two of the subs were detected and destroyed before they could do any damage to the Allied vessels.

The third submarine attempted to torpedo the battle cruiser USS Chicago but missed and instead sank the old converted ferry HMAS Kuttabul, killing the 21 sailors.

The attack occurred at 1am in the morning, the sailors were unarmed and asleep. The old Ferry was providing temporary accomodation as Sailors transferred between ships.

6 Japanese sailors also died that day, 2 in each of the midget submarines and Australia has provided ceremonial burial for each of these young soldiers.

The most recent ceremonial burial was in 2016 when the final missing submarine was discovered by amateur scuba-divers north of Manly.

THE NAVAL ODE:

They have no grave but the cruel sea,
No flowers lay at their head,
A rusting hulk is their tombstone,
Afast on the ocean bed.

They shall grow not old as we that we left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the year's condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

16/05/2026

This week we were deeply saddened to farewell 104 year old WWII RAAF Veteran Ron Leckie.

Born on 25 April 1922, Ron turned 104 last month - on Anzac Day - and just five days later passed away on 30 April 2026.

Ron was the final survivor of the RAAF 31st Squadron and served with distinction completing 653 flying hours in World War II as a Navigator in a two man Beaufighter.

Ron was also the WWII Air Force Veteran of Honour at the 2023 Anzac Tribute where his Veteran's Tribute was read by Normie Rowe.

Our sincere condolences and prayers are with the Leckie family at this time.

RON LECKIE
1922-2026

We Will Remember Them | Lest We Forget.

OTHER TRIBUTES: to Ron Leckie can also be read at:

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-05-08/31-squadron-farewells-last-known-wwii-veteran

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/wwii-veteran-born-on-anzac-day-who-flew-almost-700-hours-of-combat-missions-dies-aged-104/news-story/aa2e18e3312543affb959097448dbff2

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

A special Mother's Day song for the Mothers of all our Veterans & their Families.

Veteran & Musician Anthony Field introduces Australian Army Musician Josephine Stark & Jane Rutter at the recent 2026 Anzac Tribute on Sydney Harbour.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO of the 2026 Anzac Tribute at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKaQJH11aGk&t=127s

Legacy Australia RSL NSW RSL Australia

11/11/2025

Beautiful images from Sydney Opera House this morning.

The NSW Government have announced that the Poppies projection will also be on the SOH Sails this evening for the “going down of the sun.”

28/08/2025

The Royal Australian Navy Band sends their final salute to Des Jones (102) the last WWII survivor of HMAS Canberra.

Des was also our Navy Veteran of Honour at the 2025 Anzac Tribute at the Sydney Opera House.

Des Jones (1923-2025)
We will remember him
Lest We Forget

18/08/2025

Today is Vietnam Veteran's Day & also the 59th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan where 18 young Australians died whilst serving our nation in Vietnam.

In total, 523 Australians died in the Vietnam War and over 2,300 were wounded.

To mark Vietnam Veteran's Day, we are honoured to share two special moments from our recent 2025 Anzac Tribute: Normie Rowe's beautiful rendition of "Bring Him Home" followed by Little Pattie's reading of the poem "For the Fallen."

At the height of his musical career, Normie was conscripted and served in Vietnam from 1968-1970 whilst Little Pattie as a 17 year old was singing for Australian troops in Vietnam on 18th August 1966 at the very moment the Battle of Long Tan broke out nearby.

To all Australians who served and died in Vietnam
We remember them all - Lest We Forget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfgU98Uhn2g&t=2099s

15/08/2025

Today on VP Day, we remember all who served and died in World War II.

We also remember especially today Des Jones, the final survivor of HMAS Canberra who passed away last week.

Des’ funeral is today 1.30pm at Mulwala Cemetery with the livestream available at the link below.

Des will receive a Naval Burial with a Naval Chaplain presiding, six Navy Pallbearers, a Bigpiper and Bugler.

https://ymfs.com.au/tribute-centre/client/?nid=0bed69bf-7636-4f3b-ba57-0a6f24e70fc4

We will remember them
Lest We Forget