Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Condolences from a baby Bracegirdle

I am so sorry that this consummate gentleman has died and Mac was an inspiration to my late Father, to myself and many more. His erudite website has been a magnificent example to all naval historians and shipmates. It was a huge pleasure to meet Mac and his wife in Canberra at the launch of an exhibition at AWM entitled "FIFTY AUSTRALIANS".

RAN history is made all the more accessible by this wonderful gentleman and even in our sorrow, we hope that his family are strengthened by the many tributes from all over the globe.

God Bless you Mac,

Lieut Cdr NICOLAS BRACEGIRDLE MBE RN (BATH, UK)

See:

• Introduction to stories of Commander Warwick Bracegirdle DSC ** RAN. "Gentlemen Cordite"
• Gentlemen Cordite, Lieutenant Commander Warwick edited by Nicholas Bracegirdle

Terry

Mac Was My Inspiration - Bruce M. Petty New Zealand

I met Mac in Melbourne over ten years ago on my way to New Zealand, where I now live.

Even before I met Mac I interviewed him long distance for a book I was writing about naval officers in the Pacific War. The book is titled, At War in The Pacific, and as a result of that interview I made up my mind that if ever I had the chance I would write a book about what I came to call Our Forgotten Allies in The Pacific War.

As fate dictated, I ended up moving to New Zealand in 2004; but instead of writing a book about Australia's role in the Pacific War, I ended up writing one about New Zealand in the Pacific War, but Mac was my inspiration. However, my publisher didn't like my title, which I wanted to be, New Zealand: One of Our Forgotten Allies in The Pacific War. Instead, it was titled, New Zealand in The Pacific War: Personnel Accounts of World War II. I still think my title was better.

I'm sure glad I had a chance to know Mac. There aren't too many like him around.

Bruce M. Petty-- http://voicesfromthepacificwar.com

New Zealand

Mac in Mac's Library, December 2003 with Bruce Petty
(picture taken by Peter Flahavin)

Rest In Peace Dear Friend Mac - Matthias J. Maurer Germany

Today I had to learn that Mac has deceased in August this year!

What sad news indeed!

Mac was one of those to support our society during the time after having established, and he helped us by organising a website.

Together with Terry Kearns we in the first month had an English site, later on the German translation too.

We will never forget your help, unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet personally.

Rest in peace, dear friend Mac.

Matthias J. Maurer

President Felix Count von Luckner Society

Germany

Condolences - Francie Mendelsohn USA

Raymond,

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

I am very sorry for your loss.

I will try and find a Holocaust or WWII museum in Canada and see if I have any luck.

Francie Mendelsohn

United States of America

Condolences - Michael Burton Finland

Dear Sir/ Madam,

So sorry to hear Mac passed away he was very helpful when I wrote and asked him about the convoy RB1 which sailed from USA and England, he published the article I sent (see Convoy RB1 first published 22 April 2006).

Again, my condolences.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Burton

Finland

PS Keep up the good work

Top Bloke - David Angwin

Hello Raymond,

Sorry to hear the news.

Mac was a top bloke.

I can't believe it.

Best Regards.

David Angwin

HMAS Sydney II

Australia

Condolences - Heather Hamer

Further to my previous email, I note that "Mac" has died last month, my condolences to his family.

I am grateful for having found this website.

Again, best wishes,

Heather Hamer

Australia

Great Inspiration - Anne McCulloch

To Mac's family,

I wish to express my condolences on his passing.

I knew Mac when he was a Cub Leader at 2nd Macleod Scout Group and I was an assistant.

He was a great inspiration to the Cubs and also to the other leaders who were in the group. I hope the happy memories of times spent with him will comfort you all at this time of parting.

He certainly led a full and adventurous life.

What an amazing man!

Regards

Anne McCulloch

Australia

True Gentleman - Lance McDermott

Unfortunately, I only met Mac twice. The first time was last August when I attended my first meeting of the Canberra/Shropshire Association and again on Anzac day this year. Mac struck me as a true gentleman and I am saddened that I won’t have the opportunity to get to know him better.

I’ve recently taken over as the editor of the Victorian Division of the Canberra/Shropshire Association newsletter and it would be my privilege if you would allow me to reproduce your obituary for Mac that you posted on his website.

Kind Regards

Lance McDermott

Australia

Not Forgotten Thanks To Website - Anne Warnes

Dear Raymond,

Thank you for the E-mail.

I’m very sorry to hear about your father. Thanks to his website neither he, nor his knowledge will be forgotten.

Sincere condolences,

Anne Warnes

Knowledge Will Be Missed - Kathy Rockwell

Thank you for your email.

Best wishes to you at this sad time. His knowledge will indeed be missed.

Regards

Kathy Rockwell

Australia

Terrific Work - Dennis Whitehead USA

Dear Raymond,

My sympathies to you and your family

Your father did terrific work and it is most appreciated.

I'm not sure whether your father's full name was associated with the website. I have finished the book and did credit his website but I would like to name him, in particular, if you would like.

Best Wishes,

Dennis Whitehead

United States of America

Patron of the Victorian Artificial Reef Society - John Lawler

Mac was also an Honorary Member of the Victorian Sub Aqua Group (VSAG) Australia’s longest established non-commercial private scuba diving club.

I am a past President of that club. Mac came to this club and did his excellent presentation on his time on the first Canberra lost at the Battle of Savo Island 1942.

Mac visited the EX-HMAS Canberra FFG-02 whilst she was being prepared for scuttling as an artificial reef of Ocean Grove. Here is a picture of that visit.

Regards,

John Lawler

Past President VARS

Australia

Hi Jayne,

Sincere sympathies to you and the family.

Mac was a great contributor to our Advisory Committee and also a wonderful friend.

We have had a suggestion that a Gallipoli Oak tree could be planted next year in honour of Mac, ideally at a primary school with which Mac may have had some connection.

Please let me know if this idea would be acceptable to the family.

Best regards

Peter Whitelaw

Chairman – Gallipoli Oaks Project Committee

Australia

A Legacy of Scholarship and Information - Ian Pfennigwerth

I think we should bear in mind that Mac had a good, long life, his health was pretty good and his mind was sound. From what I saw of him he enjoyed what he was doing, and he had something enjoyable to do.

He will, of course, be missed - an irreplaceable loss. But I also think we should give thanks that we had him amongst us for so long and were privileged to have the benefit of his friendship and his enthusiasm for the Navy and for the NHSA. He leaves a legacy of scholarship and information that could not have been assembled otherwise.

It is a shame that he left us without giving us a chance to say goodbye and to record our appreciation for his presence and contribution to our lives. But I got the impression that he was used to getting his own way on most things and in this last act he showed that too. If that was what he wanted, he had certainly earned the right to have his wishes respected.

Farewell Mac: we were glad to have you as part of our lives for so long.

Ian Pfennigwerth

Australia

Amazing Legacy Supporting The World Over - Linda

Hello Raymond

I am so very sorry to hear the sad news about your father. He has left an amazing legacy which has, and is supporting people the world over. They were a truly remarkable generation for us to look up to. I greatly appreciate you taking the trouble to respond to this request at such a difficult time.

I did not know any of my grandparents - all gone before my arrival. In one of the articles on your dad's website there is an image of someone from the back and I believe it to be my mother's father. We only have one tiny image of him in the family and none of the other three, so even this back image is hugely important to us - thanks to your father.

With Kindest Regards,
Linda

A Fine Historian Who Will Be Missed Around The World For His Wit And Wisdom

I never met Mac, although I feel as though I did as I had quite a few email exchanges with him over the years.

He was a fine historian and a great help to me when writing my book LOST—Ships of the RAN.

Mac’s experiences in HMAS Canberra formed part of the chapter on that ship—with his permission of course.

During one of the last conversations I had with him I said that I’d drop in and see him in Melbourne some time.  He replied that I better not leave it too long.  Unfortunately I did.

Mac’s blog was a terrific resource and a great read.

I know that he will be missed by a great many people around the world for his wit and wisdom.

My condolences to his family.

Allen Lyne

Australia

Our Committee was deeply saddened to learn of Mac’s recent passing - Military History & Heritage Victoria

4 September 2014

Our Committee was deeply saddened to learn of Mac’s recent passing. We would like to express our condolences to you and your family.

His life was rich in experiences and his wisdom and grace were widely respected within our military history circles.

As our Vice-President, Mac was a tremendous supporter and magnificent ambassador for our organisation.

Our Committee agreed that we would like to maintain his memory by sponsoring Mac’s Ahoy web site through Military History and Heritage Victoria. The wealth of historical material he collated is a valuable asset and we would like to see it remain available to the public. When and if you would like to discuss this prospect please feel free to contact me directly.

Again, our deepest sympathies for your loss.

Regards,
Colonel Marcus Fielding
President

Patron: Major General Jim Barry, AM, MBE, RFD, ED (Rtd)

Vice Patrons: Professor Bruce Scates and Dr. Jim Wood RFD, ED (Col. Rtd)

President: Colonel Marcus Fielding

A Wonderful Gentleman - Peter Whitelaw, Chairman – Gallipoli Oaks Project Committee

Dear Family,

My condolences on the loss of Mac.

He was an active member of our Advisory Committee and we appreciated his insight and enthusiasm.

Also a wonderful gentleman.

Best regards

Peter Whitelaw

Chairman – Gallipoli Oaks Project Committee

Australia

http://www.gallipolioaks.org/

Farewell good and trusted friend - Rex Williams

CDR Mackenzie Gregory RAN Rtd was my colleague, trusted friend and mentor.

To say that I will miss him in the years ahead is an understatement!

Jenny and I enjoyed Denise and Mac's company very much and extend our sincere sympathy to Denise upon the loss of her beloved husband.

We had the pleasure of meeting Mac's beautiful daughters and their families when we celebrated Mac's 89th birthday 3 years ago and felt privileged to be part of that special occasion.

To Denise, his son Raymond and daughters Jayne, Anne, Sue, and their families, we extend our heartfelt sympathy upon their loss.

On behalf of the Naval Historical Society of Australia I extend condolences to Mac's family.

We may never see his like again!              

LEST WE FORGET!

Rex Williams
Australia

Tribute: Vale - Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Jesse Gregory, Royal Australian Navy (Retired)

Mac Gregory was born in Geelong on 9 February1922. His father was a member of the RAN based at Osborne House in Geelong and working with the J-Class Submarines. Mac joined the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Cerberus in January 1936 as a 13 year old Cadet Midshipman.

As World War II approached, in August 1939 he was sent to sea aboard HMAS Canberra and then HMAS Australia – the RAN’s County Class 8 inch cruisers. He served in Australia in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

On board HMAS Australia – 12 October 1939

On leave in Melbourne in late 1941, at the age of 19 and following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour that brought the United States of America into the war, Mac became engaged to Gladys – a childhood friend.

In 1942 Mac witnessed the Japanese submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour. Later that year he was serving on board HMAS Canberra which formed part of a combined task group for the US - led recapture of Guadalcanal. He was Officer of the Watch when Canberra was attacked by Japanese warships in the opening salvos of the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942.

He later relayed that “It was 1.43 a.m. when it all started. I could see six Japanese cruisers plus a destroyer 3,000 yards away blasting away at us with 8 inch guns and torpedos.” He remembers saying – “My God, this is bloody awful.” More than 80 Australian sailors died or were mortally wounded as Japanese shells slammed into the ship, which caught fire and was later scuttled. Clutching his Officer of the Watch issued binoculars he would lucidly tell the story some 70 years later and conclude with the reflection “I was very fortunate.”

Mac also witnessed more than 200 kamikaze attacks during World War II, but on 6 January 1945, one of the Japanese suicide planes was headed right for his ship. “I looked up into the sun and there was this plane flying toward us”, he later recalled. “We all flattened down on the deck and there was this big explosion. I was splashed and I thought it was fuel, but then I smelt it and realised it was saltwater. The kamikaze had been shot in half [by one of the ship's anti-aircraft gunners]; one half fell starboard and the other half fell portside. Once again we were very lucky.”

Mac was serving in HMAS Shropshire from where he witnessed the Japanese surrender at Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945. Anchored off Yokohama, and with Shropshire assigned to ‘occupation duties’, Mac revelled in surviving the War by touring Tokyo and surrounds in a jeep he had acquired in exchange for two bottles of whiskey.

Mac and Gladys married in December 1945.

HMAS Shropshire Ship’s Company circa 1945

It was the German U-Boat menace that almost brought Britain to her knees in two world wars and immediately after the War, Mac completed the first combined Torpedo Anti-Submarine Specialist course in the UK with the Royal Navy.

Mac would later relate that:

“We spent time learning the tricks of our enemy, submerged in a submarine, back on the surface in an Escort ship, we learned how to hunt and kill them. It went on by day and on by night, we became very clever at finding contact with the supposed enemy sub, maintaining that contact as she tried to slip away, then to move in and sink the quarry with our ahead throwing weapons. We tried out tactics for convoy protection with a game on the tactical floor that went on over a week. You had to take all positions on, one day commanding an Escort, the next as the Convoy Commodore etc. The devastating arrival of a smiling WREN with the news ‘You are sunk, Sir! You will take no further part in this exercise’ was to be studiously avoided.”

With this new specialist qualification he served in the destroyers HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Bataan, as well as at Navy Office.

From 1950 to 1953 Mac was appointed Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor General of Australia – The Right Honourable William John McKell, GCMG – at Government House in Canberra.

Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor General of Australia, Canberra 1952

In his final posting, Mac served as the Fleet Torpedo Anti-Submarine Officer on the staff of the Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet, in the aircraft carrier HMAS Vengeance. Vengeance escorted the Queen’s visit around Australia in 1954 and as part of that responsibility produced a Queen’s guard for ceremonial occasions. Mac commanded the Queen’s guard when she visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. In September 1954, after 20 years of service and at age 33, he resigned his commission.

After retirement from the RAN, Mac worked in the private sector for Rheem, Luxaflex and W.R. Grace. He then became a hospital administrator and later worked in the family business – Moorcroft Australia Pty Ltd.

He and Gladys raised their four children and Mac retained a keen interest in naval and military history. His wealth of naval knowledge and his network of contacts in the naval world were remarkable. His website – Ahoy – Mac’s Weblog – contains a wealth of valuable historical information. It is dedicated to all “Who went down to the sea in ships” in World War II in whatever capacity they may have served the cause of freedom, but especially to the 84 Officers and Men who died on board HMAS Canberra at the Battle of Savo Island on the 9th of August, 1942.

In 2001 Mac was invited to attend the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty in Washington D.C. On 10 September 2001 Mac was mentioned in both George W. Bush’s and John Howard’s speeches. After the ceremony John Howard invited the Mac and his second wife Denise to join him the next day to visit the grave of the only Australian serviceman buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Mac and Denise accepted the invitation and amended their travel arrangements. But the visit never went ahead as the al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington D.C. unfolded on the morning of 11 September 2001. Instead of going to the cemetery, Mr Howard was taking shelter in a cellar under the Australian embassy, while Mac and Denise were stuck in their hotel. “It was very frightening. Washington just went mad. There were fire trucks, police cars everywhere, FBI, CIA, helicopters chopping around overhead. It was mayhem.” Mac would later relay to a reporter.

The next day the Mac and Denise learned that the flight that they would have left Washington D.C. on was American Airlines Flight 77 which was crashed into the Pentagon without any survivors. “By inviting us to visit Arlington, John Howard had caused us to be pulled off that flight and he thus saved our lives.” Mac recalled. “It was an incredible experience. You couldn’t have any more luck than that.” Read more in "Ship's Bell and visiting Washington."

Mac’s life was rich in experiences, and his wisdom and grace were widely respected within many circles. As the Vice-President of Military History and Heritage Victoria, Mac was a tremendous supporter and magnificent ambassador for the organisation.

Mac Gregory died on 27 August 2014. In accordance with his express wishes there was no funeral and no memorial service. Mac was cremated on 1 September and his ashes were scattered from the end of Station Pier, Port Melbourne at high tide on 3 September in the presence of his immediate family.

Station Pier was a very special place for Mac as it was from there that he sailed out of Melbourne as a 17 year old Cadet Midshipman in 1939 to begin his seafaring adventures. After 20 years of effort Mac had also recently received news that a project he initiated to erect a statue of a sailor with his kitbag at the end of Station Pier in memory of the thousands of naval personnel who embarked there for service in WWII will be fully funded and would be realised.

Mac is now forever in his beloved sea, sailing with the tide. He is survived by his second wife, Denise and his children from his first marriage to Gladys, Jayne, Anne, Sue and Raymond as well as his grandchildren, Amelia, Rupert and Alexander.

A Tribute to Mackenzie Gregory from Sandy Nelson, Aotearoa, New Zealand

Mac helped me a tremendous amount with the research for my children’s book about HMAS Canberra and the Battle of Savo Island, entitled ‘The Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound,’ and for the story I am currently working on entitled ‘The Lucky Ship,’ which is about HMAS Shropshire and the kamikazes. It was Mac who taught me that sailors live in ships, not on them, and so much more.

It was very special to me that I was able to dedicate my story to Mac, and to meet him and his wife Denise when my family and I visited Melbourne in 2011.

I have tremendous respect for Mac, for his career, his meticulous research, his dedication to ensuring the sacrifice of those who gave their lives is not forgotten, and for the help he has given so many, through his website, to put the lost pieces of their family jigsaws into place.

Mac once shared an old sailor’s saying “I wouldn’t be dead for quids.”

Some people should live forever.

Float free Mac, the horizon in the distance, there to ponder upon.

Sandy Nelson

Aotearoa New Zealand

Mac Gregory’s long held dream to erect a naval memorial to eventuate

Visitors to Ahoy will recall that many years ago Mac announced that he had founded the Naval Heritage Foundation of Australia Inc. with one of its purposes being to commission artists to create a statue to commemorate and symbolize all Naval personnel in Victoria. (See "Naval Heritage Foundation of Australia Inc. plans to erect a 7 foot six inch bronze statue off a WW2 Sailor in round rig."

Mac worked tirelessly for over twelve years to make his dream happen, incorporating the Foundation, setting up an Advisory Board with representatives from ex Naval personnel, the Shrine of Remembrance, local business and the legal profession, lobbying for support from all levels of government and industry, and applying for and being granted a planning permit to erect a bronze statue of a World War II sailor facing the water on the foreshore at Port Melbourne. Port Melbourne has long had a connection to the Royal Australian Navy and it is where HMAS Lonsdale had been situated, a fitting place as many Naval personnel departed from this point for war service. The statue is to be named ‘Answering the Call’.

Mac gained much community support for the concept, and received helpful financial contributions from private donors, and from some government and non-government bodies, but the Foundation had difficulty raising the total funds without it being granted Donor Gift Recipient status, which successive Federal Governments refused to do. Mac was not to be deterred and in November 2013 he applied to the present Federal Government for a Major Commemorative Grant. The grant was approved by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Michael Ronaldson in March 2014.

Passionate about all things Naval right up to the end of his long and wonderful life, on 8 August 2014 Mac commissioned the renowned sculptor, Louis Laumen, to make the statue.

Louis Laumen has commenced work on the clay model and it is anticipated that the bronze statue will take approximately eight months to complete. Mac had hoped to unveil it in mid April 2015, prior to the Centenary of ANZAC.

The statue will not only be a legacy for the Navy, but it will also be a fitting legacy to a wonderful and inspirational individual.

Model for "Answering The Call " statue.

15 inch bronze model of " Answering The Call " statue.