Ceremonial farewell for Navy sailor

A military funeral with full ceremonial honours will take place at Devonport Naval Base on Friday 11 May 2012 for Able Electronic Warfare Specialist Ben Revell (27) who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on Saturday 05 May 2011.

AEWS Revell joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2004 and has served on HMNZ Ships TE MANA and TE KAHA.  Early last year he was diagnosed with MND, shortly before marrying his partner Malia.  In July 2011 Malia and Ben discovered they were expecting their first child and against all medical predications Ben was able to see the birth of his daughter in February of this year.

Last Friday (04 May 2012) Ben and Malia were able to have their daughter baptised onboard the Navy Warship TE MANA, a Navy tradition which had been a wish of Ben’s since before Luisa was born.  Sadly the following morning he died in North Shore Hospital, surrounded by family and friends.

Media are invited to attend the funeral service for AEWS Revell, which will be held in the Devonport Naval Base from 1030 – 1300 on Friday 11 May 2012.  The funeral will consist of a Requiem Mass, followed by a military salute from the Funeral Firing party, who will fire three volleys in to the air as a mark of respect prior to Ben making his final departure from the base.

For registrations of interest to attend the service please contact Lieutenant Commander Ange Barker Senior Communications and Media Advisor – Navy on 021 244 0638