Pictured: Justin Phillpot (right) presents his Soviet uniform to President Harry Pregnell. Photo by Harvey Shore.
BY HARVEY SHORE
Justin Phillpot of Manly has just presented what he believes is the only USSR Naval uniform in captivity in Australia to the Manly Lota RSL Sub Branch.
In early 1991, Mr Phillpot was an Able Seaman, serving his fourth year in the Royal Australian Navy. He was aboard HMAS Success (OR304), a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler, on deployment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.
While making way during the Gulf War, his vessel encountered the Russian Fleet destroyer Admiral Tributs.
Signals were exchanged between the two vessels and, when friendly intentions were established, the vessels hove to, and Able Seaman Phillpot joined a launch that went over to the Russian warship for a friendly exchange.
As part of that exchange, Able Seaman Phillpot returned to HMAS Success with a Soviet Officer’s uniform. He’s still not saying how that uniform left the Russian who was wearing it, but it came back to Australia in Justin’s sea bag and has been with him ever since.
Justin continued serving in the Navy, including another deployment to Timor, until he retired from the Navy in 2002 as a Petty Officer Marine Technician.
Back home in Manly, Justin worked in the heavy infrastructure industry, building major public works like road tunnels, water pipelines and recycled water projects, before buying a franchise in Dreamdoors Kitchens and establishing it as his own kitchen renovation business in the local area.
He also joined the Manly Lota RSL as part of its Modern Veterans team. He was soon appointed to the local RSL Management Committee, and to the Manly Chamber of Commerce.
Last year, when Manly Lota RSL’s kitchen needed repairs, Justin stepped forward and organised for his Dreamdoors Kitchens franchise to donate and install the necessary benchtops.
This year, when Manly Lota RSL needed new display cabinets for its militaria collection, Justin again stepped forward and had Dreamdoors Kitchens build and install a series of glass-fronted display cases in the President’s Bar of the RSL Hall.
This week, when the display cabinets were unveiled for members, Justin Phillpot also presented President Harry Pregnell with the first items to be displayed in them … his Russian Naval uniform and cap from the Admiral Tributs.
In November 2014, the Admiral Tributs (as part of a Russian Surface Task Group) sailed through international waters in the Coral Sea as a publicised show of power by Russia ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane. Australian authorities confirmed the ship never entered Australian territorial waters, and did not request the return of Petty Officer Phillpot’s Russian uniform!
