Senior military personnel and dignitaries joined hundreds of mourners at Swanbourne's Campbell Barracks to pay their final respects to WA war hero Jack Wong Sue.
The funeral was held at the headquarters of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment in honour of Mr Sue’s war time service with the ultra secret Z Special Unit, who are widely regarded as the founding fathers of the modern SAS.
Hundreds gathered at the SAS garden of remembrance in silence with bowed heads as Mr Sue’s coffin, accompanied by an honour guard of SAS troopers, was laid out for the service by family members.
Behind the seated mourners, at least 100 other soldiers from all three arms of the Defence Force stood to attention in dress uniform while a lone piper played.
The Commanding Officer of the SAS, who cannot be named for security reasons, said the funeral was about honouring a great warrior.
“Warriors never really die, they simply move onto the next battle,” he said.
“Z-Force, men like Jack Sue, can rightfully claim to be the founding fathers of the Special Air Service Regiment.”
“Jack Sue is a true son of Australia. May his spirit guide us, and watch over us, as we the SASR strive to reach his benchmark.”
The Commander of HMAS Stirling, Capt Brett Dowsing of the Royal Australian Navy, said Mr Sue was a “remarkable man amongst remarkable men,” held in respect by all three arms of the Defence Force.
“He was a seaman who joined the Airforce and did army things” he said.
Other speakers included the Chaplain of Z Special Unit, Dr Shalom Coleman, and retired RAAF Sqdn Leader Ian Fogarty.
Tears flowed as Mr Sue’s son’s Kam and Barry Sue spoke of the loving family man behind the legend.
“Underneath the uniform, there was a heartbeat and a soul, a softness,” Barry said.
Mr Sue, who died last Tuesday aged 84, was sent behind enemy lines during WWII as part of Z Special Unit.
The Unit was charged with getting information on Japanese troop movements in the lead up to the Australian invasion of Borneo.
The mission was deemed so dangerous and sensitive, that all seven members of the unit were issued with suicide pills, which they were to take if captured to avoid giving away information during interrogation.
Mr Sue’s efforts during the war earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Barry Sue said this afternoon’s service was just what his father would have wanted and a fitting conclusion to the life of a great West Australian.
“If Dad could he’d jump out of that box and say, it’s good to be here with the boys.’”
The WestJoin the Asian ANZACs page.
