• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

  • Events
  • Account
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Show Search
  • 0 items
Hide Search
Menu
  • Home
  • Research
    • Where to start
      • Research – We can help!
      • Self help
      • Naval Service Records
      • Library
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Resources
      • Articles
      • Videos
      • On This Day
      • Podcasts
      • Australian Military Ship Losses
      • RAN events on a  Google Earth Map
      • RAN Vessels – Where are they now?
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Other
      • Newsletters: Call The Hands
      • Occasional Papers and Historical Booklets
      • Books
      • HMAS Shropshire
      • Book reviews
    • Close
  • Naval Heritage Sites
    • World Heritage Listings
      • Cockatoo Island
    • National Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
      • HMVS Cerberus
    • Commonwealth Heritage Listings
      • Garden Island NSW
      • HMAS Watson
      • HMAS Penguin
      • Spectacle Island Explosives Complex NSW
      • Chowder Bay Naval Facilities
      • Beecroft Peninsula NSW
      • Admiralty House, Garden and Fortifications
      • HMAS Cerberus
      • Naval Offices QLD
      • Garden Island WA
      • Royal Australian Naval College ACT
      • Royal Australian Naval Transmitting Station ACT
    • NSW Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Rushcutter
    • Close
  • Naval Art
  • Tours & Cruises
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, West
    • Anniversary Cruise: Sydney under Japanese Attack
    • Tour Bookings
    • Close
  • About us
    • About Us
      • What we do
      • Our People
      • Office Bearers
      • Become a volunteer
      • Our Goals and Strategy
    • Organisation
      • Victoria Chapter
      • WA Chapter
      • ACT Chapter
    • Close
  • Membership
  • Shop
  • Become a volunteer
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Article topics / Publications / Naval Historical Review / British Pacific Fleet Memorial

British Pacific Fleet Memorial

Pollock, M.P. · Mar 30, 1974 · Print This Page

Author
Pollock, M.P.
Subjects
WWII operations, History - WW2
Tags
British Pacific Fleet Memorial
RAN Ships
None noted.
Publication
March 1974 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

THREE HUNDRED MEMBERS and guests witnessed the unveiling of the British Pacific Fleet Memorial at Naval Headquarters, Potts Point, Sydney, on Sunday 2nd December 1973. Rear Admiral G.D. Moore, CBE, who commanded the base when the BPF arrived in February 1945, officiated.

Diplomatic representatives of Britain, New Zealand and India, Federal and State politicians, representatives of municipal bodies, historical, nautical and ex-service groups were present in the guest list.

The Royal Australian Navy was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding East Australia Area, Rear Admiral W. Dovers, CBE, DSC, and his staff, Vice Admiral Sir John Collins, KBE, CB, Rear Admiral J.S. Mesley, CBE, MVO, DSC, Rear Admiral O.H. Becher, CBE, DSO, DSC and Bar, and officers of the Fleet.

Captain V.C. Merry, DSC, RN, British Defence Liaison Officer, represented the Royal Navy and delivered the messages printed below:

From Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser of North Cape.

It is very fitting that this memorial should be unveiled by Admiral Moore, who was in naval command at Sydney, and whose constant co-operation with that of many other Australians, especially the Lord Mayor of Sydney, was of such value to us. No home was too small to entertain the British sailor and no request for help to Government was ever refused. A striking example of the kindness shown and the trouble taken was the establishment of the British Centre in the middle of Hyde Park. It was a great pleasure to us that we were able in small measure to repay this kindness by using all our aircraft carriers for the repatriation of prisoners of war. Happy memories, grateful thanks and best wishes to you all.

Fraser of North Cape.’

091700 Z No. 73

Message from the First Sea Lord.

‘On the occasion of the unveiling of the memorial to the British Pacific Fleet I would like to congratulate all concerned in this act of recognition of the close links which bound the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Navy in wartime and continue to bind us in peace.

On behalf of the officers and men in the Royal Navy I send my best wishes to you all.’

Naval Historical Review, WWII operations, History - WW2 British Pacific Fleet Memorial

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Latest Podcasts

  • The Fall of Singapore
  • HMAS Armidale
  • Napoleon, the Royal Navy and Me
  • The Case of the Unknown Sailor
  • Night of the midget subs — Sydney under attack

Links to other podcasts

Australian Naval History Podcasts
This podcast series examines Australia’s Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere.
Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the RAN Seapower Centre

Life on the Line Podcasts
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories.
These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher.

Video Links

  • Australian War Memorial YouTube channel
  • Royal Australian Navy YouTube Channel
  • Research – We can help!
  • Naval Heritage Sites
  • Explore Naval Art
  • Dockyard Heritage Tour
  • About us
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Members Area
  • Privacy Policy

Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2025