Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

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StevoJH

The Bunker Group
I have to admit that I actually wrote a post yesterday along similar lines to The Puss's post but didn't post it since I wasnt sure what the reaction would be.
 

Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
The penant number L100 is to recognise the centenary of the 'Royal' in Australian Navy (1911-2011). Of course it is older than 100 years but before that was called the Commonwelath Naval Forces since 1901 and before that the various colonial naval forces.

As to HMAS Choules it is clearly a 'bright' idea from the political or civil leadership. He was no doubt a fine man but hardly a leader within the Navy. I would imagine the previous name was something to comemorate the centenary of the navy or amphibious landing heritage.

When served a shit sandiwch the usual routine is to eat it and grin. In this case I would recomend that like other ship names for captains and decorations of captains that all involved realise the captain is a figure head for the collective effort. In this case HMAS Choules should be seen as recognition of the collective effort of all those peacetime sailors who hung in there and did their bit to sustain the force and all those lateral transfers to the RAN from the RN who have constantly over 100+ years made a big difference in the RAN's quality.
 
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gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
No disrespect to the late Mr Choules and his family, but was this the "bright" idea of some public servant in Canberra or a pollie??
I'd be putting money on it coming out of the Ministers office or PM&C and then socialised amongst the mandarins
 

aussienscale

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Being an ex pusser I agree with the general sentiment others have posted, not a huge fan of this so maybe Abraham's spin on it will have to be the way to view it to make it more palatable :frown
 

StoresBasher

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
While it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, and it was a massive shock when I found out the name. Never the less, I'll be serving on her, and considering some of the names that were banded about, it's not a bad choice IMO.
 

StingrayOZ

Super Moderator
Staff member
It could have been worse.. HMAS Gillard? We could start a trend and name them after PM's or former defense ministers (we would have a huge list of names and a even bigger list of nick names).

They have gone for a RAN naval celebration theme. I suppose they wanted something more positive than Gallipoli. Join the RAN an if your old enough and serve long enough they might name a ship after you, whatever your rank. I think Gallipoli is respected enough it be enough to have the same affect.

I wonder how long she will serve with the RAN? 40 years? 110 years?
 

Volkodav

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
It could have been worse.. HMAS Gillard? We could start a trend and name them after PM's or former defense ministers (we would have a huge list of names and a even bigger list of nick names).

They have gone for a RAN naval celebration theme. I suppose they wanted something more positive than Gallipoli. Join the RAN an if your old enough and serve long enough they might name a ship after you, whatever your rank. I think Gallipoli is respected enough it be enough to have the same affect.

I wonder how long she will serve with the RAN? 40 years? 110 years?
At least until she is well past her use by date permitting the then government to criticize their predecessors, the opposition to criticize the government, everyone to gang up and blame the navy, and if at all possible Australian industry as well. No one will come to the simple conclusion that ships get old and need to be replaced.
 

Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
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It could have been worse.. HMAS Gillard? We could start a trend and name them after PM's or former defense ministers (we would have a huge list of names and a even bigger list of nick names).
Actually it is that bad. The precedent has been set to name a RAN ship after a recently deceased public servant. Claude Choules claim to fame is he outlived everyone else who fought in WWII. But he is being memoralised because of the co-incidence in timeing between his death and the new ship's transfer. If he had died last year there is no chance this ship would have his name.

Next time it may be a former politician who kicks the bucket and is subsequently memoralised in a soon to be launched ship for the RAN. If Gough Whitlam dies in the next two years the AWD to be named Brisbane might become HMAS Whitlam....
 

alexsa

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Actually it is that bad. The precedent has been set to name a RAN ship after a recently deceased public servant. Claude Choules claim to fame is he outlived everyone else who fought in WWII. But he is being memoralised because of the co-incidence in timeing between his death and the new ship's transfer. If he had died last year there is no chance this ship would have his name.

Next time it may be a former politician who kicks the bucket and is subsequently memoralised in a soon to be launched ship for the RAN. If Gough Whitlam dies in the next two years the AWD to be named Brisbane might become HMAS Whitlam....
Or more ironically, if we were to end up with aircraft (I know this is not a goer) and it was called HMAS Hawke.
 

icelord

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Or more ironically, if we were to end up with aircraft (I know this is not a goer) and it was called HMAS Hawke.
We could take the paintings from parliment house and hang them in the wardroom or Junior sailors, next to the yard glass!
 

StevoJH

The Bunker Group
Next time it may be a former politician who kicks the bucket and is subsequently memoralised in a soon to be launched ship for the RAN. If Gough Whitlam dies in the next two years the AWD to be named Brisbane might become HMAS Whitlam....
I could definately see that going down well given the not so brilliant end to his Prime Ministership......
 

Volkodav

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I could definately see that going down well given the not so brilliant end to his Prime Ministership......
Thats ok the first two Collins replacements will be HMAS Frazer and HMAS Kerr, I imagine they will prove very effective at torpedoing HMAS Whitlam.
 

OpinionNoted

Banned Member
Thats ok the first two Collins replacements will be HMAS Frazer and HMAS Kerr, I imagine they will prove very effective at torpedoing HMAS Whitlam.

followed by...HMAS may we say god save the queen and HMAS because nothing will save the governor general.
 
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JoeMcFriday

New Member
We could take the paintings from parliment house and hang them in the wardroom or Junior sailors, next to the yard glass!
All the posts are good but I really this one!!

Of course the Junior Sailors would have to swear by their salty tears not use it!

Cheers,
Mac
 

Marc 1

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
hmmm, nasty trend - just had an even worse thought... Your ship is sunk out from under you - you'd probably prefer to ditch the life vest and drown rather than be rescued and have people comment behind your back "that he went down on the Gillard..."
 

rossfrb_1

Member
hmmm, nasty trend - just had an even worse thought... Your ship is sunk out from under you - you'd probably prefer to ditch the life vest and drown rather than be rescued and have people comment behind your back "that he went down on the Gillard..."
Rangacism aside, I won't ask your opinion then, about the Gillard guvmint ordering Growlers...
 

spoz

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
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