The Bradleys Head Naval Memorials in Sydney has been officially declared a Military Memorial of National Significance.
This declaration reflects the ongoing national significance of the historic Memorials, which commemorate every Australian who has proudly served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) over the past 125 years, as well as all ships lost in service.
The Bradleys Head Naval Memorials precinct is considered by the RAN to be the premier naval monument in Australia and is the only naval memorial to which ceremonial honours must be rendered by all passing naval ships, both Australian and foreign, when entering Sydney Harbour.
Located within the Sydney Harbour National Park, the Memorial precinct includes the HMAS Sydney (I) Mast, the RAN Memorial and the RAN Memorial Walk.
HMAS Sydney (I) was the first Australian ship to engage the enemy at sea during the First World War. On 9 November 1914, German light cruiser SMS Emden attacked a communications station in the Cocos Islands, which sent out a distress signal before being captured. Sydney was sent to investigate and was engaged by Emden. Over the next hour, the two warships exchanged deadly salvos, until the Emden was crippled and forced to run aground. Sydney then pursued, captured and sank the Emden’s collier, Buresk. Four Australians were killed during the engagement, as well as 134 German sailors.
When HMAS Sydney (I) was decommissioned in 1928, her mast was removed and erected at Bradleys Head in 1934 to commemorate the Sydney-Emden action.
During the Second World War, on 19 November 1941, HMAS Sydney (II) was involved in a mutually destructive engagement with the German cruiser HSK Kormoran off the West Australian coast. Kormoran, flying under false colours, ambushed the Sydney at close range. None of the Sydney’s complement of 645 men survived. This remains the largest loss of life in the Australian Navy’s history. To remember the sailors of Sydney (II), a plaque was added to the memorial mast on Bradleys Head.
Commemorative services to honour and remember the lost sailors of the two Sydneys, as well as all Navy personnel who have lost their lives in peace and war, are held at the Bradleys Head Naval Memorials to this day.
The Bradleys Head Naval Memorials join eight other Military Memorials of National Significance across Australia. Further information on these memorials can be found on the DVA website.