Honouring Richard Pirrie on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

On this day, the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, we remember Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie who was part of the first wave of landing craft to reach Juno Beach.

The eldest son of six children, ‘Dick’ Pirrie was born in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn in 1920 and was studying law when the war broke out.

A talented footballer, he had given up a promising career with the Hawthorn VFL Football Club when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy. Pirrie was just 24 years old when he arrived aboard HMS Invicta during the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. 

Tasked with spotting German gun positions, his mission was dangerous but crucial. Pirrie navigated the treacherous waters off Juno Beach on a small spotter boat and identified Nazi snipers and strongholds on the Normandy cliff tops. His efforts enabled battleship gunners to effectively target and neutralise enemy positions, reducing the threat to Allied troops landing on the beach.

Tragically, Pirrie and two others fell victim to Nazi bullets and explosions as they carried out their mission. Despite the dangers, their actions helped minimise casualties among the troops and contributed to the success of the Allied invasion. 

The D-Day landings were the largest naval, air and land operation in history and a significant event of the Second World War. 

Pirrie is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, which lists the names of 15,993 sailors of the British Commonwealth who were lost at sea.

His sacrifice and selflessness were also acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence, in being selected as Australia's representative on a new D-Day Memorial Wall, which was unveiled at international ceremonies in Portsmouth yesterday.

As we pause and remember the dedication and sacrifice of those who served on the beaches of Normandy, let us also honour the memory of Richard Pirrie and all those who have served.  

Lest we forget.