Clearance Divers Roll of RemembrancePrint Page 
The framed printed honour roll commemorates those who served in the Clearance Diving Branch of the Royal Australian Navy in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved.
The Clearance Diving Branch of the Royal Australian Navy was formed in 1951 with the primary role of “location. identification and disposal of Mines underwater”. It’s secondary role included “underwater maintenance, training of the Fleet in ship defence against saboteurs, beach reconnaissance and minor salvage”.
Although Explosive Ordnance Disposal remained a primary function it soon became apparent that Navy divers were suited to an ever expanding variety of tasks.
The Clearance Diving Branch has continued to evolve. In 1966 the RAN introduced the concept of the Australian Clearance Diving Teams. In that same year AUSCDT 3 was formed and trained in all aspects of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition), small arms and jungle survival before going to Vietnam where they served with distinction.
The Viet Cong (VC) put a price on their heads and the US increasingly used them in roles outside their core training – a testament to their skills and growing professionalism.
After Vietnam the role of the Branch and the Teams became more clearly defined. As well as serving with the fleet in sea-going berths, there are now two AUSCD Teams. AUSCDT-One, based in Sydney, and AUSCDT-Four, based near Perth, in Western Australia.
Each team is a self-contained, highly mobile unit consisting of about sixty personnel. Within each team there are three distinct elements: Underwater Battle Damage Repair (UBDR); Mine Counter-Measures (MCM); and Maritime Tactical Operations (MTO), with Team members receiving instruction in all three disciplines.
UBDR are trained in the use of pneumatic and hydraulic tools and carry out salvage and emergency repair work in wartime situations. MCM is concerned with the disposal of disarming of mines and explosive ordnance, including IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) as favoured by terrorists. MTO carry out amphibious reconnaissance and are skilled in Escape and Evasion Techniques.
Today’s CDs still carry out all of the original roles formulated back in 1951. Since the early ’80s they have continued to expand their commitment to the highly specialised ‘Maritime Tactical Operations’ role.
Location
| Address: | 51 Brolga Street, Quilpie Shire Military History Museum, Quilpie, 4480 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -26.613649 Long: 144.267921 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Honour Roll |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
Dedication
Clearance Divers Roll of Remembrance
When called by God to report for the last time no finer reply could be given by any man to His question :
"And what did you do in your life ? "
Than, to be able to reply :
I was a member of the R.A.N. Clearance Diving Branch
[ Names ]
O, God in heaven hear our plea
For Clearance Divers neath the sea
While in the oceans dark embrace
Keep us Thy sons within Thy Grace
And hear us Lord, O Thou who saves
For us Thy Servants neath the waves
