Sunday's slight breeze and gentle waves at Bass Point were a stark contrast to the fierce storm that caused a major rescue operation of the Cities Service Boston at the same location 73 years ago.
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More than 80 people gathered at Bass Point on Sunday to remember four Australian soldiers who lost their lives during the South Coast's most tragic war-time shipping accident.
Sixty-two US servicemen were trapped aboard the US tanker, when it ran aground on the night of May 16, 1943 during WW2. The ship was in a convoy of ships sailing close to the shore following reports of Japanese submarines operating in the area.
The following morning 33 members of the 6 Machine Gun Battalion, camped at Kembla Grange, were called on to lead the rescue mission. Joined by Shellharbour residents and with little regard for their own lives, the soldiers swam through the stormy ocean and used ropes to bring all of the 62 Americans safely back to shore.
Towards the end of the rescue 10 Australian soldiers and sailors were struck by a wave and washed into the sea. Three men were rescued and another three managed to swim to shore but at roll-call that night they realised four young men were missing.
A chance meeting at a Northern Territory holiday park brought the descendants of one of the rescuers to Shellharbour to join in remembrance service this year, for the first time.
Private Robert Magill was a young man of 22, when as a member of the 6 Machine Gun Battalion he was involved in the daring Cities Service Boston rescue. His children William Magill and Margaret Vuke said their father never spoke of his role in the rescue and it was only through a chance meeting with another descendent of the battalion that they became aware of the annual Shellharbour tribute.
“Dad never talked about it, or anything else to do with the war,” Mr Magill said.
Recently the family found an official letter from the US government acknowledging their late father’s involvement in the rescue.
“It’s been quite emotional coming along today and reading details about what happened,” Mrs Vuke said.
“It’s helped me understand a few things about dad, like why he wouldn’t go in in the water.”
Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba said the service honoured the heroic rescue efforts of Australian soldiers and residents, and those who paid the ultimate price.
“These men showed courage in the face of adversity and performed a rescue in exceptionally difficult elements,” she said.
“It’s now for the whole community to make sure that we honour their memories.”
