HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as the lead ship of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955. Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. The second collision occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations. HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on 30 June 1982, having spent 62,036 hours underway and having steamed 868,893 nautical miles. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.The pictorial history of HMAS Melbourne with rare photos. Now a scarce title and highly desirable title that is now long out of print. Has provenance history of all ships movements from 1955 till decommissioned.HMAS Melbourne 25 YearsOn the front page is a picture of HMAS Melbourne with the words at top "H.M.A.S. Melbourne. At bottom are the words in orange, '25 Years'. In white, are the words 'by Ross Gillett' then 'Forward by Rear Admiral G.G.O. Gatacre C.B.E. DSO. DSC & Bar, RAN'. On the rear page is a list of all the Captains that served on the HMAS Melbourne between 1955-1980.hmas melbourne, aircraft carrier, royal australian navy, australian navy, westland whirlwind, sea venom, fairy gannet, bristol sycamore, westland wessex, douglas skyhawk, grumman tracker, westland sea king, fleet air arm, hmas albatross, nowra

Part One - Medical services of the RAN Part 2 - Medical Services of the RAAF. Part 3 - Women in the Army Medical Services.Women in the Medical ServicesAustralia in the War of 1939-1945 - Medical Services of the RAN and RAAFAustralian War Memorialran raaf medical, building the naval medical service, medical stores and eqipment, living conditions in ships, prisoners of war, burns, infectious diseases, diseases of the skin, affections of the ear, nose and throat, dental branch, medical units in base areas and in the field, milne bay to noemfoor, morotai to philippines and borneo, aviation medical, medical aspects of survival, raaf nursing service, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, the australian army medical women's service

HMAS Mk11 endeavours to give something of a picture of this world wide fabric of sea power and the threads therein woven by the Royal Australian Navy. These threads are coloured by experience and tradition of the centuries of the Naval history.Personal recounts from NAVY service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsHMAS - Printed 1943 has a paper dust jacket with the white ensign. Inside front and back hardcover is a green background and illustrations of ships and words of places of Navy service. Photographs, illustrations, cartoons, portraits.hmas mk11, naval history

Black & white photo of Naval Destroyer with Sydney Harbour Bridge in background.Front L bow: “0154” On back: “HMAS Duchess, Tribal Class”photographs, hmas, sydney

Two of the least well known stories of Australia at war are that of Australian submarine AE2 & the Australian Naval Bridging Train both at Gallipoli in 1915. Written by: "Lieutenant Thomas Frame RAN & Sub Lieutenant Greg Swinden RAN"Cover is hard cardboard, black coloured buckram, gold print on spine. Dust cover is black & navy blue print on front & spine. Background coloured copy of the painting 'Sea of Marmara' by Charles Bryant with a sepia coloured portrait photo of three men in uniform above on front. 208 pages cut plain white paper. Illustrated with black & white photos, maps & illustrations. End papers front & back, sepia photos of a group of men in uniform 'Smoko in the Desert.'.books-history, military history-navy

20. Oct. 2001. Presented to Bendigo & District Ex Navalmen's Club by WO Marty GROGAN RANR - Vice President. HMAS Sydney & Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans Association. Note: Disc for this photo held by T S Bendigo (all printed on backing).Coloured photo of 10 ships with palm trees in foreground. Tan, wooden, frame with glass front & fawn cardboard backing.Printed in black type on white label at top centre: “HMA SHIPS, TOWNSVILLE, WOOLONGONG, LAUNCESTON, WHYALLA CESSNOCK, BENDIGO, GAWLER, GERALDTON, GEELONG & BUNBURY ALONGSIDE DARWIN NAVAL BASE ON COMPLETION OF THE 1999 MINOR WAR VESSELS FLEET CONCENTRATION PERIOD”photographs, hmas, ran

Historical account of the service of HMAS Hobart from 1938 to 1962.Soft card cover. Title in gold lettering. Front & back covers illustrated with black & white photos. 76 pages with cut edges bound with staples. Illustrated with black & white photos & diagrams.books-naval history, military history-navy, hobart, hmas

Soft covered illustrated book of 204 pages, HMAS Australia. Contains photos & drawings from the period 1928 - 1955.books-naval-history, military history-navy, hmas

Soft, cream cardboard cover re HMAS Australia. 198 pages. Copied photos, maps & drawings.books - naval history, illustrations, hmas, ran

Soft covered with photos & print on both sides of book. 80 pages of photos & print.books - naval history, photography-photographs, ran, hmas, corvettes

Photocopied record of HMAS Australia "Ships Daily Movements" 1939 - 1942. 28 pages held by 3 staples.books-naval-history, documents-diaries, hmas, ran

Soft clear plastic & grey covered file with dark grey reinforced spine, hole punched. 83 typed photocopied pages. Warramunga was a tribal class destroyer of British design & built in Australia. Booklet contains author's recollections of her part in naval operations in the Pacific theatre of WWII."Warramunga a true story by Geoff Willson", "The Ship with a Guardian Angel", "The Lucky Ship"military history-navy, ran, hmas

Warick Niven Johanson No PM4958 enlisted in the RAN on 9.9.42 aged 17 years 9 months. Posted to HMAS Australia February 1943. Saw service through the Japanese Kamikaze attacks. At discharge from the RAN on 17.4.46 his rank was Signalman HMAS Lonsdale. Refer 2566P.Medal set, court mounted, set of (6) re W Johanson. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. Pacific Star. 3. War medal 1939-45. 4. Australian Service Medal. 5. Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp "SW PACIFIC" 6. Phillipines Liberation Medal."PM4958 W.N.Johanson"medals, naval, history

Mervyn Clive Townsend was born in Bairnsdale on 5.2.1917 to Edward and Muriel Townsend. The family moved to Bendigo in 1930. His father was a teacher at the Bendigo High School. Mervyn enlisted in the RAN on 14.10.1940 age 23 years for temporary service and Commissioned at HMAS Cerberus. He was posted as Surgeon Lieutenant (Dental) on the HMAS Sydney on 5.4.1941. He was later KIA on 19.11.1941 along with the whole crew of 645 during a battle with the German Cruiser (Raider) Kormoran. His very brief records of 5 pages states “Missing presumed lost Sydney 20.11.1941.Black & white photograph of a Naval Officer in uniform re M C Townsend. Photograph has a light grey surround. Frame is black plastic.photography-photographs, military history, ran, hmas sydney

The sleeve patch is “Coder in Communications”. Uniform issued to Keith Edward Daniel RAN No 25700, enlisted 25.2.1942 age 19 years, discharged 13.3.19146 with the rank of Coder at HMAS Lonsdale..1) Naval Bib cotton with white & blue trim on neck .2) Tar Flap (blue/white stripe trim) .3) Pants / trousers black .4) Jacket black with service ribbons, service chevrons, right sleeve has crossed flags. .5) White lanyard, rope ..6) Back lanyard polyester .7) Navy hat white and black polyester trim with HMAS .8) .9) Pair of black boots. uniforms - navy, ran

Items belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Two Newsletters, "Tingira Old Boys Association". Front has a crown with HMAS, Anchor, Tingira, under a scroll with "Old Boys Association" then list of Patrons and last a sketch of a ship. .1) Has yellow cover, pink and white pages, No 27 October 1978. .2) Has dark yellow cover, yellow and white pages, No 29 April/May 1979. .3) Request form, typed on blue paper re donations to "Maritime Trust of Australia". newsletters, naval, history

Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2137, 2147. Typed sheet in purple listing points 1-41 re brief description of the retaking of Gaudalcanal in 1942. There are 3 underlined headings, "High level bombers, Dive bombers, Torpedoe bombers". HMAS Hobart and Australia were involved. documents, naval, plans

Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Typed sheet in purple ink with points numbered from 1-66 re basically questions on Naval actions covering a range of subjects. naval, plans, documents

Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN HMAS Hobart. This is the 3rd part of a diary relating to 2147. Refer also 2134 for service history, 2135.3, 2137. Diary, A.G Holley RAN. Seven page typed in blue ink with heading "Solomon Islands Landings" which began on 7th August 1942. There are no clear dates, detailed account of the action.diaries, naval, personal

Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service details also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Invitation to the 17th Annual Dinner of "HMAS Tingira" Saturday 30th September 1978 at the Rose Bay RSL Club NSW Branch. Folds into four. Front has crown, plaque with "HMAS Tingira Old Boys Assoc", photo of ship centre then details as above. Inside has menu, programme, toasts, patrons etc.invitations, naval, documents

Item belonged to Arhur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart which took part in the operation. Refer 2134 for service details also 2135.3, 2147.Naval message typed in purple, yellowed and stained. The message is from "R.K Turner U.S Navy Commanding re the retaking of Tulagi and Gaudalcanal Islands from the Japanese. The Operation to start on August 7th 1942.documents, naval, american

Belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147.Newspaper, "The Wombat Times". Annual of HM Australian ship "Hobart". 12 pages, very yellowed, contains articles, poetry, stories, photos. .1) Pages 1,2,11,12. .2) Pages 3,4,9,10. .3) Pages 5,6,7,8.papers, naval, history

Items belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Proceedings of "Naval Historical Review". The minutes of the Naval Historical Society of Australia Garden Island NSW. All typed in black, several pages each, stapled together. .1) Yellow paper, Vol 1 No 7 April 1971, 6 pages. .2) White paper, Vol 1 No 8 May 1971, 6 pages. .3) Blue paper, Vol 1 No 9 June 1971, 8 pages. .4) Blue paper, Vol 2 No 1 July 1971, 6 pages. .5) Blue paper, Vol 2 No 2 August 1971, 10 pages. documents, naval, history

Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147.Pages from "Navy News", newspaper articles, advertisements. Main article is a page and a half on the "Coral Sea Battles in May 1942". .1) Pages 5,6,11,12. .2) Pages 7,8,9,10.newspapers, naval, history

Item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Photo, original, B & W of "HMAS HOBART". Photo is pasted onto a piece of glass."HMAS HOBART"photography, naval, history

Items belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147."Naval Historical Reviews" Official journal of the Naval Historical Society of Australia. Cardboard shiny surface covers, white with images of ships at bottom. .1) Dated September 1974. .2) Dated March 1975.journals, naval

The item belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. The history of "HMAS Hobart 1938-62". Cardboard covering with HMAS Hobart at the top, image of Hobart centre, Naval Historical Society of Australia at the bottom, 76 pages plus introductions, written by L.J Lind and M.A Payne. Copy No 456 of 1000. books, history, naval

Items belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN, HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147..1) "Thirty Niners Association Journal" cardboard covers, centre has circular laurel arrangement, crown at top, in centre 1939, boomerang with Thirty Niners, under Assoc, colours are white, light and dark blue. .2) Newspaper cutting re "Trafalgar Day Preparations" parade of Naval personnel, inspection by Rear Admiral R.C Dalgliesh.newspapers, journals, history