Bradleys Head Naval Memorials Officially recognised

As a maritime nation girt by sea, Australians take great pride in our Navy.

Today, the Albanese Government is reflecting that pride by declaring the Bradleys Head Naval Memorials on the iconic Sydney Harbour a Military Memorial of National Significance.

As we celebrate 125 years of Royal Australian Navy service, the elevation of these memorials recognises the service and sacrifice of generations of officers, sailors and all ships that have been lost in service.

These memorial are the only Navy memorials to which ceremonial honours* must be rendered by all passing naval ships, both Australian and foreign, when entering and leaving Sydney Harbour.

With today’s declaration, it becomes just the ninth Australian Military Memorial of National Significance, alongside Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance, the Cenotaph in Sydney, and the HMAS Sydney II Memorial in Geraldton among others.

This is appropriate recognition of a unique memorial landmark.

Located within Sydney Harbour National Park, the focal point of the memorials is the mast of HMAS Sydney (I) and the site also includes the RAN Memorial and the RAN Memorial Walk.

HMAS Sydney (I) was the first Australian ship to engage the enemy at sea, defeating the German light cruiser SMS Emden on 9 November 1914 off the Cocos Islands.

Four Australians were killed during the engagement, as well as 134 German sailors.

When HMAS Sydney (I) was decommissioned in 1928, the mast was removed and erected at Bradleys Head in 1934 to commemorate the Sydney-Emden action.

The memorials also commemorate the single largest loss of life in the Royal Australian Navy’s history, the sinking of HMAS Sydney (II) on 19 November 1941 off the coast of Western Australia during close-range combat with the heavily disguised German auxiliary cruiser HSK Kormoran.

None of Sydney’s complement of 645 men survived.

Commemorative services to honour and remember the lost crew members of the two Sydneys, as well as all Navy personnel who have served in peace and war, are held at the Bradleys Head Naval Memorials to this day.

This is a site steeped in Australia’s proud naval history and holds a significant place in the hearts of all our Navy personnel, and indeed all Australians.

NOTE- A full list of Australia’s Military Memorials of National significance can be found here. 

Passing naval vessels are required to render a formal salute to the white ensign flying on the mast of HMAS Sydney I. The boatswain “pipes the still”, calling crew members on the upper deck to face the mast and the Captain offers a salute from the bridge.

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