STAND FIRM was the motto of the HMAS Armidale, sunk by Japanese aircraft on the south coast of East Timor.
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Seventy-five years later, the loss of 100 lives aboard will be remembered.
Lieutenant Eleanor Snelling is the executive officer of the HMAS Armidale II.
Writing from an unknown location at sea, Lieutenant Snelling said the lives lost onboard HMAS Armidale is an important reminder of the sacrifices made to protect Australia.
“It is important that we continue the legacy of those who have served and continue to protect Australia and its resources,” Lieutenant Snelling said.
I am humbled and honoured to be able to serve on a ship with Armidale as its namesake.
- Lieutenant Eleanor Snelling.
“I am humbled and honoured to be able to serve on a ship with Armidale as its namesake.”
Waking at 0700 hours each morning with Call the Hands, the crew of HMAS Armidale II start the day with man overboard training, boat operations and ship handling.
Every four hours the Watch on Deck is rotated to navigate the ship.
“To break up the week and enhance morale Armidale also undertakes leisure activities such as Steel Deck BBQ’s, Sunday’s at Sea, Trivia Nights, Fitness Challenges and ‘Armidale Masterchef’,” Lieutenant Snelling said.
“These activities are all organised by the crew which help to enhance teamwork and inject a little bit of friendly competition throughout the ship.”
Second-in-charge aboard the ship, Lieutenant Snelling joined the Navy in 2009.
Inspired by her older brother, the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary with her life is what drew her to the Navy.
“Since joining the biggest and unanticipated benefit for me was the esprit de core and comradery that is instantly developed with those you serve with,” she said.
Lieutenant Snelling has served as the executive officer on HMAS Armidale II since June 2016.
The Royal Australian Navy and the Armidale Regional Council will co-host a Memorial Service to commemorate the loss of HMAS Armidale.
The service will take place at 11am on Friday December 1 in Central Park.
Guests are welcome to lay a wreath.