FORMER Petty Officer Douglas Alfred Symes enjoyed a tour of the Victorian Maritime Centre’s museum on the Esplanade, Crib Point, before the coronavirus lockdown.
“Dougie”, as he is known around the Crib Point RSL, spent time viewing the exhibition and has vowed to return.
During a lunch in his honour the 94-year-old entertained the centre’s volunteers by relaying highlights of his 48 years’ service in the Royal Australian Navy after entering HMAS Cerberus as a recruit in 1943.
A quote from a citation presented to Mr Symes by the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus at the time stated: “Your dedication, professionalism and devotion to duty has been exemplary. You have made a valuable contribution to the training of personal within HMAS Cerberus and the Royal Australian Navy.”
Mr Symes was presented with an honorary life membership of Western Port Oberon Association.
First published in the Western Port News – 22 July 2020
