It was “all hands on deck” today at HMAS Watson as CN hosted a joint celebration recognising the RAN’s 122nd birthday and RADM Guy Griffith’s 100th birthday. Retired senior officers, serving senior officers, COMAUSFLT and senior staff, members of the many ship’s associations RADM Griffiths was the Patron of, together with family and friends and Watson’s ship’s company gathered in the Wardroom for morning tea and the traditional cutting of the cake with CN, RADM Griffiths and the youngest member of the ship’s company sharing the sword and cutting duties.

CN opened the celebrations by outlining an exciting year ahead for the RAN with a new recruitment campaign about to launch and a year ahead of a rich variety of naval exercises with our allies abroad and at home. He spoke of the pride he has for the navy he leads and the high respect for which it is held by our allies for its professional reputation. 

He then outlined the distinguished career RADM Griffiths had enjoyed, fighting in WWII with the British and Australian navies, his service in the Korean War and his command of HMAS Hobart during its first deployment to Vietnam. He further stated that it was in this spirit of service and outstanding achievement demonstrated by Guy over his naval career, that he intended to use as an exemplar for the RAN going forward in 2023. 

His final duty was to share two cards congratulating Guy on his 100th birthday, one from the Governor of Australia and his wife and the other from King Charles and Camilla. 

A pleasant time was then spent by the assembled gathering, with congratulations flowing to Guy, old navy friends and acquaintances catching up, all in a general atmosphere of pride, friendship, and goodwill. 

On a personal note I observed both RADM Griffiths and RADM Swan proudly wearing their HMAS Hobart Association ties, a fitting salute to the organisation they have both patronised for many years. 

CMDR Peter Watson RAN (Retd) Secretary NOC and President of the HMAS Hobart Association (NSW)