The Bathurst-class corvettes were a class of general purpose vessels designed and built in Australia during World War II. Originally classified as minesweepers, but widely referred to as corvettes, the Bathurst-class vessels fulfilled a broad anti-submarine, anti-mine, and convoy escort role.The corvettes were handy and reliable, and in addition to minesweeping, patrol and escort work they were employed on an endless variety of tasks including the carrying of troops and stores, participation in bombardments and assault landings, surveying and towing operations.Brown timber frame with grey mount containing print of ship at sea HMAS Corvette Presented to Wangaratta RSL by HMAS Mildura Association in Appreciation for honour of leading ANZAC Day March 1999ww2, corvette, minesweeper, ran

Image depicting the explosion of a ship, filled with TNT and ammunition, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on 19 February 1942. In the foreground is HMAS Deloraine which survived unscathed. On that day, 236 people were killed when 242 Japanese aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town, ships in Darwin's harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during World War II. MV Neptuna was a 5,952 ton cargo motor vessel. and was 1 of 11 sunk during the Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942. In January 1942 HMAS Deloraine evaded an attack by the Japanese submarine I-124 north-west of Darwin and was jointly credited with the submarines' sinking after she inflicted the initial damage. The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin, on 19 February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia. Brown timber frame containing blue black and white print of ships being bombed.February 19th 1942, Darwin Harbour In the foreground the corvette HMAS Deloraine. Smoke billowing in the background is from burning oil tanks on shore, the mushroom cloud is from the explosionof the ammunition ship Neptuna. Watercolour by Tom Offordbombing of darwin, battle of darwin, 19 february 1942, ww2, mv neptuna, hmas deloraine

Life Buoy from HMAS Sydney II - On 19 November 1941, Sydney was involved in a mutually destructive engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, and was lost with all hands (645 aboard).Three Australian warships have carried the name Sydney. Following the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and all 645 crew members in 1941 the Life Buoy was found in poor condition discarded in a bin at Spectacle Island in Sydney and later restored. The Life Buoy made from kapok ceased to be used by the RAN in the early 1950's. Solid white circle surrounded by attached ropeHMAS SYDNEY hmas sydney, life buoy

This photograph is connected to the first HMAS Warrnambool (J202), which was one of 60 Bathurst class corvette vessels built during World War II by Mort's Dock & Engineering Co Ltd of Sydney under the commission of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It was the namesake of the City of Warrnambool in Victoria. The armed minesweeper was 57 metres long and could had a complement of 85 personnel. Its armament included 1 × 4 inch Mk XIX gun, 1 × 40 mm Bofors AA gun (installed later), 3 × 20 mm Oerlikon guns (1 later removed), machine guns and depth charge chutes and throwers. It was launched in Sydney in May, 1941. The HMAS Warrnambool began service with patrols off Bass Strait in 1941. In December the ship docked in Warrnambool Harbour and the crew marched in a parade along Timor Street. The ship’s crew received a donation of 110 books from the Warrnambool Patriotic Fund, and a plaque of the City of Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms presented by the Mayor, Cr. John R Astbury. In September 1942 a Dutch East Indies family, Samuel and Annie Jacob and seven of their eight children, was rescued by the HMAS Warrnambool and evacuated to Darwin. The family settled in Melbourne, then in 1944 Samuel tragically died. After the war ended the family was threatened with deportation under Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (known also as the White Australia policy). Annie married her landlord, John O’Keefe but was still issued a deportation order in 1949. The family appealed to the High Court and the case became famous for being the first successful legal challenge to the Act. The HMAS Warrnambool was in Darwin during the time it was bombed, attacked by the Japanese while rescuing 73 crew from a merchant vessel that had also been attacked. The ship was involved in several other rescues and carried troops to New Guinea. Other events included escort and patrol duties on Australia's east coast, then at Fremantle and back to Darwin. When the Japanese surrendered on September 11, 1945, at the end of World War II, the ship was at Timor. It performed mine clearance work around the Solomon Islands and New Guinea after the war. On 13th September 1947 the ship was sent to lead a flotilla at the Great Barrier Reef, off the Queensland coast. The mission was to clear the defensive British mines that were laid during1941-43 to protect Australia’s boarders. The HMAS Warrnambool hit a mine near Cockburn Reef, exploded and sank shortly afterwards. One of the 70 or so men on board was killed at the time and thirty-two men were badly injured; three of these also lost their lives. The four deceased were Victorian seamen. The wounded men were transferred by boats to the nearby HMAS Swan II, where the Swan’s and the Warrnambool’s doctors cared for them. The HMAS Swan II took the survivors to Cairns, and from there the men were flown by RAAF to either Brisbane or Sydney hospitals. The HMAS Warrnambool was the only RAN ship to be sunk by a mine, and the four who lost their livers were the last naval casualties from World War II. The ship’s wartime service was recognised by three honours. In May 1948 a number of items were recovered by Navy divers from the wreck of HMAS Warrnambool. The items included the ship’s bell (inscribed HMAS Warrnambool 1941) and the round plaque with the Seal of the Warrnambool City Council. In 1949 the plaque was returned to the Council, and the bell was donated to the Australian War Memorial. Further objects were recovered by the new owners of the wreck, Southern Cross Diving and Salvage, in 1972-75. A memorial plaque, honouring the memories of all those who served on the HMAS Warrnambool until is sunk on September 13 1947, was erected in Warrnambool on September 13, 1995. NOTE: (1)- The second HMAS Warrnambool (FCPB204), also the namesake of the City of Warrnambool, was built in 1980 in Cairns, one of fifteen Fremantle Class Patrol Boats ordered by the RAN. It was just over 41 metres long with a compliment of 22 personnel. It patrolled Australia’s northern waters for illegal fishing vessels. This vessel was decommissioned in 2005. (2)- There was also a steam and sail ship named the S.S. Warrnambool, built in 1892 in London and broken up in 1926.This photograph is significant for its association with Royal Australian Navy and its vessel, HMAS Warrnambool (j202). The HMAS Warrnambool played a nationally significant role in overturning Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (colloquially known as the White Australia policy). The ship rescued, and brought to Australia, Samuel and Annie Jacob and their family after they evacuated Dutch East India. The family was threatened with deportation and made the first successful appeal to High Court regarding that Act. The HMAS Warrnambool has - Local significance for being the namesake of the City of Warrnambool - Local significance, having docked in Warrnambool Harbour - Local significance, the crew having paraded in Timor Street, Warrnambool - State significance for its first patrol being in Bass Strait. - National significance, being present in Timor at the Japanese surrender - National significance as part of Australia’s defence force history, being one of only four Bathurst class corvettes lost while in Australian service, the only Bathurst class corvette lost after World War II, the only RAN vessel to be sunk by a mine, and associated with the last four Navy deaths of WWIIBlack and white photograph of vessel H.M.A.S. Warrnambool J202 on an open sea. The identifying number is painted on the hull. The ship is flying a white ensign. A lifeboat is suspended near the centre of the ship. Figures can be seen on deck. Hand written inscription on the reverse side. On ship's hull "J202" On reverse of photo "From P.O. FRED MATTHEWS. 23378. R.A.N." "MARIBYRNONG MAIDSTON RSL" "H.M.A.S. WARRNAMBOOL"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph, h.m.a.s. warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, mort's dock & engineering co ltd, hmas warrnambool, hmas warrnambool i, hmas warrnambool j202, hmas swan ii, j202, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, ran, sydney built ship, bass strait patrol, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, navy divers, great barrier reef, cockburn reef, southern cross diving and salvage, warrnambool city council, cr j r astbury, mayor j r astbury, warrnambool patriotic fund, seal, coat of arms, ship’s bell, hmas warrnambool 1941, shipwreck by sea mine 1947, sea rescue, life saving, lifesaving, sinking ship, sunk ship, immigration restrictions act 1901, white australia policy, samuel and annie jacob, john o'keere, minesweeper

The photograph shows the vessel HMAS Warrnambool J202, which was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy for use as a minesweeper during World War II. The Bathurst Class Corvette, fitted out with a range of armaments, was launched in Sydney 1941. The ship began service in Bass Strait in 1941. At the end of the year it called into its namesake city, Warrnambool, where the crew paraded for the public marching eastwards along Timor Street. A gift of books for the ship’s personnel and a plaque bearing the City of Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms were presented to the ship. The ship was involved in evacuating a family of nine from the Dutch East Indies that was later successful in its challenge of Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act (White Australia Polity). The ship had many other appointments around Australia. On 13th September 1947 HMAS Warrnambool was leading a flotilla of minesweepers in northern Queensland’s coastal waters, clearing mines previously laid to defend Australia. The ship hit a mine, which exploded and very quickly sunk the ship. Boats from the nearby ships rescued most of the seamen although one was killed at the time. The survivors were taken by the HMAS Swan II to Darwin, and they went from there to hospitals in Brisbane and Sydney. Three of these men later died from their injuries. A number of items were recovered by Navy divers in 1948 including the ship’s bell and a plaque with Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms. In 1972-75 the wreck was sold and other items were salvaged. In 1995 a memorial plaque was erected in Warrnambool near the RSL. NOTE: The RAN built a second HMAS Warrnambool FCPB204, launched in 1981 and decommissioned in 2005. There was also a steam ship SS Warrnambool built in London 1892 and broken up in 1926. [A more detailed history can be found in our Collection Record 3477.] This photograph of HMAS Warrnambool is significant for its association with Royal Australian Navy and its vessel, HMAS Warrnambool (J202). The HMAS Warrnambool played a nationally significant role in overturning Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (colloquially known as the White Australia policy). The ship rescued, and brought to Australia, Samuel and Annie Jacob and their family after they evacuated Dutch East India. The family was threatened with deportation and made the first successful appeal to High Court regarding that Act. The HMAS Warrnambool has - Local significance for being the namesake of the City of Warrnambool - Local significance, having docked in Warrnambool Harbour - Local significance, the crew having paraded in Timor Street, Warrnambool - State significance for its first patrol being in Bass Strait. - National significance, being present in Timor at the Japanese surrender - National significance, shown by the significance of the ship’s bell being curated as Military Heritage and Technology at the Australian War Memorial. - National significance as part of Australia’s defence force history, being one of only four Bathurst class corvettes lost while in Australian service, the only Bathurst class corvette lost after World War II, the only RAN vessel to be sunk by a mine, and associated with the last four Navy deaths of WWIIPhotograph of HMAS Warrnambool near land. Black and white photograph shows a steam and sail vessel in calm water beside land. Figures are standing on board. A flag flies on a mast. The ship's name is on the stern. The light coloured funnel has emitted a small amount of smoke.On side of ship "WARRNAMBOOL"flagstaff hill, maritime village, maritime museum, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, mort's dock & engineering co ltd, h.m.a.s. warrnambool, hmas warrnambool, hmas warrnambool i, hmas warrnambool j202, hmas swan ii, j202, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, ran, sydney built ship, bass strait patrol, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, navy divers, great barrier reef, cockburn reef, southern cross diving and salvage, warrnambool city council, cr j r astbury, mayor j r astbury, warrnambool patriotic fund, seal, coat of arms, dedicatory plaque, hmas warrnambool 1941, shipwreck by sea mine 1947, sinking ship, sunk ship, minesweeper

This photograph is connected to the first HMAS Warrnambool J202, which was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy for use as a minesweeper during World War II. The Bathurst Class Corvette, fitted out with a range of armaments, was launched in Sydney 1941. The ship began service in Bass Strait in 1941. At the end of the year it called into its namesake city, Warrnambool, where the crew paraded for the public marching eastwards along Timor Street. A gift of books for the ship’s personnel and a plaque bearing the City of Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms were presented to the ship. The ship was involved in evacuating a family of nine from the Dutch East Indies that was later successful in its challenge of Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act (White Australia Polity). The ship had many other appointments around Australia. On 13th September 1947 HMAS Warrnambool was leading a flotilla of minesweepers in northern Queensland’s coastal waters, clearing mines previously laid to defend Australia. The ship hit a mine, which exploded and very quickly sunk the ship. Boats from the nearby ships rescued most of the seamen although one was killed at the time. The survivors were taken by the HMAS Swan II to Darwin, and they went from there to hospitals in Brisbane and Sydney. Three of these men later died from their injuries. A number of items were recovered by Navy divers in 1948 including the ship’s bell and a plaque with Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms. In 1972-75 the wreck was sold and other items were salvaged. In 1995 a memorial plaque was erected in Warrnambool near the RSL. NOTE: The RAN built a second HMAS Warrnambool FCPB204, launched in 1981 and decommissioned in 2005. There was also a steam ship SS Warrnambool built in London 1892 and broken up in 1926. [A more detailed history can be found in our Collection Record 3477.] This photograph is significant for its association with Royal Australian Navy and its vessel, HMAS Warrnambool (j202). The HMAS Warrnambool played a nationally significant role in overturning Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (colloquially known as the White Australia policy). The ship rescued, and brought to Australia, Samuel and Annie Jacob and their family after they evacuated Dutch East India. The family was threatened with deportation and made the first successful appeal to High Court regarding that Act. The HMAS Warrnambool has - Local significance for being the namesake of the City of Warrnambool - Local significance, having docked in Warrnambool Harbour - Local significance, the crew having paraded in Timor Street, Warrnambool - State significance for its first patrol being in Bass Strait. - National significance, being present in Timor at the Japanese surrender - National significance as part of Australia’s defence force history, being one of only four Bathurst class corvettes lost while in Australian service, the only Bathurst class corvette lost after World War II, the only RAN vessel to be sunk by a mine, and associated with the last four Navy deaths of WWIIPhotograph, black and white, HMAS Warrnambool J202 in water with land and buildings in background. Ship is flying a dark flag with Union Jack in corner and star below it. Lifeboat suspended above deck in centre of ship. Top of funnel has a black band. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, mort's dock & engineering co ltd, h.m.a.s. warrnambool, hmas warrnambool, hmas warrnambool i, hmas warrnambool j202, hmas swan ii, j202, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, ran, sydney built ship, bass strait patrol, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, navy divers, great barrier reef, cockburn reef, southern cross diving and salvage, warrnambool city council, cr j r astbury, mayor j r astbury, warrnambool patriotic fund, seal, coat of arms, ship’s bell, hmas warrnambool 1941, shipwreck by sea mine 1947, sinking ship, sunk ship, sea rescue, life saving, lifesaving, minesweeper

This photograph depicts the Royal Australian Navy's ship HMAS Bendigo (J187), one of 30 sips commissioned by the RAN for defence purposes in World War II. The ship was named after the City of Bendigo in Victoria. The corvette ship was a Bathurst class minesweeper, built by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Company, at Cockatoo Island, Sydney. The ship was launched in March 1941, commissioned May 1941, decommissioned September 1946, and sold to a Chinese company as a civilian vessel.This photograph is significant for its association with the Royal Australian Navy and Australia's maritime and naval history. Black and white photograph of steamship H.M.A.S. Bendigo,, Bathurst class minesweeper J187.flagstaff hill, maritime village, maritime museum, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, cockatoo docks and engineering company, h.m.a.s. bendigo, hmas bendigo, hmas bendigo i, j187, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, sydney built ship, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, photograph, maritime photograph, minesweeper

Part of the uniform of Leading Wireman Allan Edward Beach. Part of the uniform worn by Beach, Allan Edward, Service no. 25718. Date of birth 6 Nov. 1913 - Box Hill Place of enlist - Melbourne -leading wireman Died 29 January 1981 Buried: Springvale Botanical Cemetery Copy of research - National Archives of Australia Two pleated silk ribbons, which form part of the uniform of Leading Wireman, Allan Edward Beach. See also NA5582 Tunic, NA5585 Trousers, NA5581 Dicky front, NA5578 Collar, NA5586 Lanyard, NA5589 Two Ribbons, NA5591 Hat band (HMAS), NA5583 Hat band (HMAS Cerberus), NA5593 Ribbon (HMS Repulse), NA5590 Ribbonroyal australian navy, world war ii, uniform, allan edward beach, sailor

The Battle of Sunda Strait was a naval battle which occurred during World War II in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java, and Sumatra. On the night of 28 February – 1 March 1942, the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth and the American heavy cruiser USS Houston faced a major Imperial Japanese Navy task force. After a fierce battle of several hours duration, both Allied ships were sunk. The sinking of HMAS Perth at the Battle of Sunda Strait 28 February -1 March 1942 cost 357 Australian lives. A further 324 crewmen fell into enemy hands. Two and a half years of brutal captivity claimed the lives of 106 of these men - 53 on the Thai Burma Railway alone.Framed cuttings of newspaper articles,13 photographs and 7 flags As Portrayed to the Australian Public 1942-1945 BATTLE OF JAVA SEA & SUNDA STRAIT 27 FEB - 1 MAR 1942 The first and only battle fought by a combined American Australian British and Dutch Naval Force against the Japanesesunda strait, hmas perth