The 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Centaur

Eighty years ago today, in 1943, the hospital ship "Centaur" was torpedoed and sunk off the Queensland coast by a Japanese submarine. Clearly marked as a hospital ship its sinking and the loss of over 200 lives made Australians fully realise the urgency of overcoming the advance of the Japanese army... 

Rob's dad Allan (age 22 years) was one of only 64 survivors of this disaster (wartime atrocity)......

For a few years before he died in 1999 Allan was the only remaining Queensland survivor of the disaster (atrocity) and was regularly featured in news stories each May.

It was ironic really because it was a topic never discussed with the family until Allan was well into his sixties - when he started to open up about the experience.  He escaped a flooded cabin, fires caused by the explosion, and a 20 metre drop into the ocean  before eventually making his way onto a makeshift raft with other survivors. They were rescued a day and a half later by the American destroyer USS Mugford. Allan suffered injuries during his escape, which he mostly ignored at the time, until they caught up with him later in life, resulting in spinal surgery and a great loss in mobility.

The 80th anniversary was commemorated at the Last Post ceremony at the Australian War memorial tonight - with a particular focus on the life of Private Clement Edward Lynne of the 2/12th Field Ambulance (like Allan).  We laid a floral tribute tonight in recognition of the 80th anniversary - 6 red roses just like Bobbie used to do each year while she was alive. We lined up with the aging members of the 2/3 AHS Centaur Association while noting that Mr Matt Anderson PSM (the Director of the AWM) was also in attendance and very attentive to the families involved.

As always the AWM service is very moving, well resourced and beautifully executed in the hallowed setting of the Pool of Remembrance.

It was lovely to be in the company of these distinguished gentlemen tonight at the service - Rod and our neighbour Cameron, both of whom were first time visitors to the Last Post ceremony. We really appreciated their interest and their presence.

And a footnote: Today was Mothers Day - and I just happened to come across a card Ella had made for me, maybe around 7 years ago??? showing me with a happy face being served breakfast by a robot while I'm seated in a comfy armchair - definitely one of the best Mothers Day cards I've ever received!