The HMAS Sydney II Memorial at Geraldton, Western Australia and the Geraldton War Cemetery have failed to respect and provide interpretation for the Unknown Sailor of Christmas Island.
The remains were re-interred at the Geraldton War Cemetery on 19 November 2008 without consulting the residents of Christmas Island.
The grave is located in the Geraldton cemetery in a small rarely-visited, fenced-off section for war dead. The headstone bears the inscription “A Serviceman of the 1939-1945 War, HMAS Sydney”. There is no connection made to the story of the Unknown Sailor or Christmas Island.
The HMAS Sydney II Memorial, located a few kilometres away makes no mention of the Unknown Sailor or the “Serviceman” buried in the cemetery.
The Office of Australian War Graves and the City of Greater Geraldton have been unresponsive to pleas to provide recognition and interpretation at the cemetery and the Memorial.
Please sign the petition to help restore the connection with Christmas Island and keep the story alive for future generations. Public campaign is supported by the Shire of Christmas Island.
Send a firm message to the Office of Australian War Graves and Greater Geraldton Council, that the Unknown Sailor should not be ignored. Write letters to:
Mr Chris Appleton, Office of Australian War Graves GPO Box 9998 Canberra ACT 2601 and
Mr Ken Diehm, CEO, City of Greater Geraldton PO Box 101, Geraldton WA 6531.
