Fire and Rescue NSW honours 25th anniversary of slain sailor’s bravery - Sydney

Published: 23 Apr 2024 02:47pm

The ANZAC Day service at Fire and Rescue NSW’s City of Sydney station will carry added poignancy this year as it marks the 25th anniversary of the death of a heroic sailor, murdered nearby.

Leading Seaman, John Laurence “Hap” Hammond, was stabbed when he rushed to help a woman being robbed at an ATM, metres from the Fire Station in Castlereagh Street on ANZAC Day, 1999.

A fire crew, which included a former paramedic, rushed to Leading Seaman Hammond’s aid but was unable to save him and the 30-year-old later died in hospital.

Every year, FRNSW’s main ANZAC Day service gives tribute to Leading Seaman Hammond and a plaque has been erected at the station in his honour.

FRNSW has at least 405 past and present servicepeople in its ranks and following Thursday’s 7.30am service, a contingent of firefighters will depart the station towards the form-up point for Sydney’s ANZAC Day march.

The FRNSW RSL sub-branch was re-established late last year after an almost 40-year absence.

FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, himself a former Army Reserves Section Commander, said Leading Seaman Hammond and the fire service shared the same values of community-mindedness and decency.

“It’s an honour every year for FRNSW to remember Leading Seaman Hammond’s courage and intent to help another,” Commissioner Fewtrell said, “They are values our firefighters also hold in high regard.

“On Thursday, we’ll honour John’s sacrifice as we recognise those made by scores of firefighters during Australia’s conflicts,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.

Leading Seaman Hammond’s widow, Sharon, normally attends the service every year, however, the couple’s only child, Brodie, is about to give birth to John’s first grandchild and she may not make this occasion.

“The recent incident at Bondi Junction impacted all of us (their family) very heavily,” Sharon said, “It really rings home but as a family, we always like to honour John around ANZAC Day.

“It has been very good to have the service at the fire station where FRNSW mentions him, so we’re able to go there and actually honour him in a place that did try to save him.

“We will be eternally grateful for the crew’s heroic efforts on that night.”

Firefighters will participate in ANZAC Day events across the state this Thursday, including the traditional march in Newcastle.