Darwin bombing veteran gets his dying wish

Antipodean Andy · Feb 25, 2009

Bombing survivor gets his dying wish - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

A member of the United States Navy, whose ship sunk during the bombing of Darwin, has had his ashes scattered over the wreck in Darwin Harbour.

Hundreds of servicemen, their families and civilians who defended Darwin during World War Two attended a ceremony in the city this morning, to mark the 1942 Japanese air raid attacks.

More than 240 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in the attack.

Eight ships were also sunk in Darwin Harbour, including the American destroyer the USS Peary, which lost 91 men.

The last survivor of the Peary, Dallis Widick, died last year.

His family travelled to Darwin from the United States to scatter his ashes over the shipwreck, which lies in Darwin Harbour.

Dallis Widick's widow Lorna Widick says it was his dying wish.

"That's exactly what my husband wanted. He wanted to be buried with his friends in Darwin," Lorna Widick said.

His son, Dallis Widick Junior says he's heard stories of the frantic moments when the bombs started falling during the Japanese air raid.

"Men were thrown overboard, huge amounts of fire, the captain tried to get the ship underway, he was killed by a bunch of shrapnel that hit the ship in the explosions. It was just absolutely unbelievable." Dallis Widick Junior said.

Dallis Widick Senior's ashes were scattered over the USS Peary this afternoon.
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liverpool annie · Feb 27, 2009

Bless his heart ! .... RIP Dallis Widick

John · Feb 27, 2009

Rest in Peace, Dallis Widick who has now gone to join his fellow shipmates.

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