Former submariner shares why remembrance matters
A veteran who spent 26 years serving in the Navy says Remembrance Day is about ensuring the sacrifices of service men and women are never forgotten.
Bolton Clarke Mandurah retirement village resident Rodney joined the Royal Navy at just 15 years old before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy, building a distinguished military career that included two tours of Vietnam and service aboard submarines.
Decades Later, Rodney continues to honour those who served by helping organise the village's annual Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
"I joined the British Navy when I was 15," Rodney said.
"I'd always wanted to do it – even as a kid, I knew I wanted to be a sailor."
After transferring to the Royal Australian Navy and starting a new life in Australia, he served aboard HMAS Perth and completed two deployments to Vietnam.
"We were actually employed in naval gunfire support for the Army.
"We were basically doing bombardment duties against the Viet Cong."
While his experiences in Vietnam were significant, Rodney said it was his later move into submarines that truly shaped his military career.
"On a submarine, everybody has to know everybody else's job.
"Everybody looks after everybody else and learns as much as they can about the boat and the job."
The unique environment created lifelong friendships that remain strong almost 40 years on.
"The guys that I served with in submarines, I'm still in touch with. We have a reunion every year in a different state.
"It's like having a conversation that stops for five minutes. You go back the next year and the conversation starts again."
As preparations continue for this year's Remembrance Day service at Mandurah retirement village, Rodney said the occasion remains deeply important.
"It's important that people do not forget what veterans and service men and women have done.
"It's basically about respect for the people who have done those things."
The village's Remembrance Day service will include a special addition this year, with a live bugler joining commemorations.
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