Skip to content

John Currin

15 years in Royal New Zealand Navy

RNZN – Sword of distinction goes with pride of service

When Midshipman Sean Keven became the first ever officer to receive the Dick McBurney Sword of Distinction, it was during his intake’s graduation day in December. It’s only now that he’s had a chance to appreciate the story behind it.

20231209 NZDF C1033116 033

30 JANUARY, 2024

In July Navy Today ran a story on Lieutenant Commander (rtd)  Dick McBurney MBE and his desire to donate his sword to a deserving officer, someone who had ‘lower deck’ origins like LTCDR McBurney and was now Commissioning From the Ranks (CFR).

MID Keven was one of five officers in Junior Officer Common Training intake 23/02 who had previously served in the ranks. As the top overall CFR graduate, he was presented with the sword, as well as the Commodore Davis-Goff CBE, DSC Trophy, traditionally presented to the best CFR graduate.

The sword stays on display at the Leadership Development Group but any time in his career MID Keven, and subsequent awardees, are entitled to request the sword and wear it for ceremonial occasions.

LTCDR McBurney, originally from Northern Ireland, joined the Royal Navy in 1948, commissioned in 1963 and served in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1972 to 1981. He and his wife are retired in Waikanae.

The sword, purchased from renowned Naval outfitters Gieves of London, is made by noted German swordmaker Eickhorn Solingen.

It’s quite likely LTCDR McBurney and MID Keven joined the Navy for the same reasons: a desire to leave a small town and see the world.

“Wellsford is a very small town, with not a lot to do,” says MID Keven. “I was looking at the Air Force initially as an avionics technician, but the recruiter pitched the idea of an electronics technician in the Navy.” He didn’t think of himself as a very confident person back then, so it was a big step.

I looked into the Navy and thought, why not, let’s go for it. I knew this would help me grow into someone I could be proud of. And nearly five years on, it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

He joined in early 2019, completing Basic Common Training (BCT) and trade training. He was then posted to HMNZS TE MANA, which was undergoing its Frigate Systems Upgrade in Canada.

“Again, it was someone selling me an idea. While in Canada, my divisional officer suggested I might be a good fit for officer training.” He’d found he liked being challenged, out of his comfort zone, and finding new opportunities to grow. “And the Navy gives you very good opportunities for that.”

It meant nearly six months of officer training. “It’s interesting – as a rating, you’re taught to do stuff, and be efficient about it. So the biggest thing for me was changing the way I thought. As an officer, you step back, look at different factors, juggle the team and the task. It’s a lot more dynamic as you solve problems, rather than be focused on one task. And in JOCT, instructors are a lot more hands-off, letting you figure things out. But if you muck it up, they rein you in and show you.”

MID Keven will now train as a Weapons Engineer Officer. That means a three-year Engineering degree at university, followed by a two-year weapons engineer course in Australia. He will likely post to frigates after that.

It’s hard work, but what he’s noticed is how well the Defence Force manages work life balance for its people.

“There’s always opportunities to take leave, or get away from work for something important. As a whole, the NZDF tries really hard to accommodate its people interests and wishes, especially in the regards of family and sports.”

This was particularly brought home to him when he asked if his partner could be with him in Canada.

“They said, let’s do it, and they made it happen. Considering I was an Ordinary Rate at the time, this was very surprising. We spent over a year in Canada together, in our own apartment, with plenty of opportunities to travel and see the country. It was an amazing experience and is just one instance of what the Navy has to offer.”

Training, study and travel are all great benefits, he says. “But arguably the best thing is being given the opportunity to be part of an organisation that doesn’t care about making the most profits, or expanding their reach to more clients. The Defence Force cares about protecting New Zealand, her interests, and her people. I feel a lot of young people are lacking purpose, community, and a challenge, all of which the Defence Force offers in spades.”

HMAS Warramunga departs for regional presence deployment

The crew of HMAS Warramunga form up as the ship departs Fleet Base East for an Indo-Pacific Presence Deployment. Credit: Defence

The Australian Defence Force has deployed a Royal Australian Navy warship to conduct the first regional presence deployment for 2024.

The Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga departed its homeport of Sydney on 23 January for a three-month deployment through South and Southeast Asia.

The ship’s embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and the 200-strong ship’s company will participate in a range of exercises, cooperative activities and joint patrols with partner navies.

HMAS Warramunga will also undertake various navy-to-navy engagements during exercises and port visits.​

“Indo-Pacific deployments demonstrate the Australian Defence Force’s ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability,” said Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Commander Australian Fleet.

“Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with regional nations for decades and these routine deployments demonstrate our resolve for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

This regional presence deployment will conclude in late April.

USS Macon CA-132 1948.USS Macon (CA-132), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, was laid down on 14 June 1943 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey; launched on 15 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Charles F. Bowden, wife of the mayor of Macon, Georgia; and commissioned on 26 August 1945 at Philadelphia, Captain Edward Everett Pare in command.


USS Macon (CA-132), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, was laid down on 14 June 1943 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey; launched on 15 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Charles F. Bowden, wife of the mayor of Macon, Georgia; and commissioned on 26 August 1945 at Philadelphia, Captain Edward Everett Pare in command.

1946 – 1950
Macon’s first fleet assignment was with the 8th Fleet, which she joined soon after her shakedown cruise. Sailing with the fleet for maneuvers in the Caribbean, she departed Norfolk on 19 April 1946, returning to New York City on 7 May. On 4 June Macon arrived at Norfolk for duty as a test ship for the operational development force.

Over the next four years the cruiser periodically received experimental equipment in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, conducted tests of the new equipment while she served as an anti-aircraft gunnery schoolship, and training naval reservists off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. She also participated in a midshipmen summer cruise to Europe in 1948. Her experimental duties continued until 12 April 1950 when she decommissioned and went into reserve at Philadelphia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Macon_(CA-132)

USS Indiana (BB-58), a South Dakota-class battleship, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy named in honour of the 19th state.

Her keel was laid down on 20 November 1939 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 21 November 1941 sponsored by Mrs. Lewis C. Robbins, daughter of Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker, and commissioned on 30 April 1942, Captain Aaron Stanton Merrill in command.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Indiana_(BB-58)

Abercrombie-class monitor HMS Havelock

HMS Havelock at the T.W. Wards Shipbreakers at Preston, 1927

HMS Havelock 1915

HMS Havelock was an Abercrombie-class monitor of the Royal Navy that saw service in the First World War.

Background[edit]

On 3 November 1914, Charles M. Schwab of Bethlehem Steel offered Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, the use of four 14 in (356 mm)/45cal BL MK II twin gun turrets, originally destined for the Greek ship Salamis. These turrets could not be delivered to the German builders, due to the British naval blockade. The Royal Navy immediately designed a class of monitors, designed for shore bombardment, to use the turrets.

HMS Havelock was laid down at the Harland and Wolff Ltd shipyard at Belfast on 12 December 1914. The ship was named General Grant in honour of the United States General Ulysses S Grant, however as the United States was still neutral, the ship was hurriedly renamed HMS M2 on 31 May 1915. She was then named HMS Havelock on 20 June 1915.

Service history[edit]

HMS Havelock sailed for the Dardanelles in June 1915. She remained in the Eastern Mediterranean until returning to England in January 1916. She then served as a guard ship at Lowestoft. She was decommissioned in May 1919, and disarmed in June 1920. Sold for breaking up in May 1921, she was retained in reserve until resold on 25 June 1927 to the Ward shipyard at Preston for breaking up.

Photos – USS Wisconsin after she collided with USS Eaton on May 6, 1956


The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Eaton (DDE-510) following collision with the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64). On 6 May 1956, off the Virginia Capes, Wisconsin collided with the Eaton in thick fog while steaming at high speed (20 knots). The collision caused serious damage to both ships, with the Eaton contacting the battleship’s bow on the starboard side forward of the bridge, which crushed to port side and broke the keel.

USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) is the fourth Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. Curtis Wilbur was named for Curtis D. Wilbur, forty-third Secretary of the Navy, who served under President Calvin Coolidge. In 2016 she was based at Yokosuka, Japan, as part of Destroyer Squadron 15.

Built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, she was commissioned in Long Beach, California, on 19 March 1994. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was then-Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Curtis_Wilbur_(DDG-54)

USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Oscar Austin is named for Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipient Private First Class Oscar P. Austin.

This ship is the 29th destroyer of her class. USS Oscar Austin was the 17th ship of this class to be built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and construction began on 9 October 1997. She was launched and christened on 7 November 1998. On 19 August 2000 she was commissioned at Bath, Maine. As of July 2020 the ship is part of Destroyer Squadron 26 based out of Naval Station Norfolk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Oscar_Austin