Norfolk Island RSL & Visiting crew of HMAS Sirius Commemorated Remembrance day 2021

Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day) is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of World War I (WWI) on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente. This historical tradition is celebrated by all Commonwealth Nations and was inaugurated by King George V in 1919; the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. 2021 marks the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice. This year is particularly special with the arrival of HMAS Sirius under the command of Commander Christopher Doherty RAN. CMDR Doherty has been in command since November 2020.

Commander Christopher Doherty was born in Gosford, NSW. He enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy in 1998 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy, Campbell in December 2000 as a distinguished graduate and winner of the Navy Prize. Commander Doherty is a Principal Warfare Officer in Advanced Navigation who has held a range of positions within Fleet, and Training Force. Commander Doherty has served as the Navigation Officer in HMA Ships Diamantina, Sydney, Tobruk, Ballarat, Toowoomba, and Success. Commander Doherty has served as the Operations Officer of HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin and Success, and also completed a short posting as a Principal Warfare Officer in HMAS Darwin as the Ship’s Communications and Electronic Warfare Officer.

Sirius is the first RAN ship to carry this name; however HMS Sirius was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1780 as the flagship of the ‘First Fleet’. The name was selected because of its historical connections with the First Fleet and the import role the ship played in providing logistic support to the struggling economy. Her motto is “To Serve and Provide”

Australia’s current supply ships will be replaced with two Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships, HMAS Supply II (commissioned 10 April 2021), and NUSHP Stalwart (due to commission 13 November 2021). HMAS Sirius will decommission on 18 December 2021.

HMAS Sirius was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday 16th September 2006 at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia. The commissioning was officiated by the Commissioning Lady was Mrs Janine Nobbs of Norfolk island and the Norfolk Island Chief Minister David Buffett AM. The Commissioning of HMAS Sirius continued the process first announced in July 2005, when the Norfolk Island Government put forward a proposal for the Norfolk Island community to “adopt” the new ship. The intent was to provide the people of Norfolk island with a tangible link to the ship bearing a name of significance to the island and to maintain an active interest in the well-being of the ship and its’ navy personnel throughout its active life. The Royal Australian Navy enthusiastically embraced the concept and invited Mrs Nobbs and Chief Minister Buffett AM as guests of honour to the commissioning ceremony. The Norfolk Island Government made a presentation of an engraved decanter to the Maritime Commander, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas AM CSC RAN.

On Saturday 3rd March 2007 the Hon David Buffett AM, Chief Minister of the Norfolk Island Government, did accord the ceremonial Freedom of Entry to Norfolk Island to HMAS Sirius and her Commanding Officer Commander Tim Crawford RAN and the ships company.

Norfolk Island has been designated by the Royal Australian Navy as the home port for HMAS Sirius; the first RAN vessel to bear the name of the flagship of the HMS Sirius which was wrecked off Kingston Norfolk Island in 1790.

Remembrance Day Service
On Thu 11th Nov the Norfolk Island RSL Sub Branch will remember those who have died in the line of duty or those who have died since serving their country. The RSL will commemorate this important historical day of remembrance by observing 1 minutes silence at 11am in memory of all of those who have served in all wars and armed conflicts.

The community of NI are invited to join the ex-Defence Force and Service personnel and the NI RSL at the Cenotaph from 10:30am on Thursday 11th November 2021. A family member of the deceased relative is also invited to participate by joining the assembled men and women in front of the Cenotaph. This family member is to wear the deceased person’s medal on their right chest or breast.
 10:20am Quality Row adjacent to Cenotaph will be closed
 10:30am Parade forms – Vets, Ex-Service, and family of Vets
 11:00am One minute silence
 11:05am Remembrance Day service finish after Lone Piper and Anthems.
 On Completion Vets and ex-service and visitors invited to the RSL Club
In the event of inclement weather the service will be held at the same time in the NI RSL Club.
Terence (Tet) Grube JP
Hon Sec
NI RSL Sub Branch