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

Ill, p.361.ACF, a commonwealth-wide voluntary organisation accredited to the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force and charged with the duty of caring for all fit and well members of the Australian Forces during the Second World War, 1939-1945australian comforts fund - history, civilian war relief

Index, notes, Appendices, ill, p.134.In 'Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults' Ray Jones has written an authoritative account of the technical, operational and political aspects of Australian naval aviation from Admiral Creswell's 1913 plan for naval aviation until the last aircraft catapult was removed from an Australian cruiser in 1944.The Navy's role as catalyst in the formation of the Air Force is outlined for the first time and details of the sometimes acrimonius struggle between Navy and Air Force over naval aviation are provided. No serious work of RAN history can deal with the mid-war years without taking account of advice from London and the Admiralty's influence on RAN aviation planning is made clear. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Australian warships are described and the rationale of cruiser aircraft operations are illustrated by the number shot down or damaged performing their essential task in wartime. The vital role of aircraft operating from cruisers searching for raiders and taking part in fleet operations defending Australia in 1942 is stressed. Extensive archival research in Melbourne, Canberra and London, combined with hours of interviews with the men who flew aircraft from cruisers and carrier, has ensured a balanced and well-rounded narrative which is an essential addition to the library of any naval or aviation history enthusiast.airplanes - military - australia, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia

The item was generally referred to by soldiers as a “house wife kit” Item relating to J A McDonald VX79511. Refer Cat No 2481.2 for his service history..1) Khaki cloth roll container for sewing items. .2) Thread, navy, white & khaki. .3) Thimble, black plastic.Inside roll, faint makers details and (arrow up) meaning Dept of defencemilitary equipment, handcrafts-sewing, house wife

Three volumes, hard covers books with dust covers. 1.2.& 3. Hardcover - cardboard, dark blue colour buckram with gold print on spine. Dust covers - paper, black, white, dark blue print on front and spine. Illustrated. 1. Blue and white colour background with soldier in red and navy colour uniform standing with sword in right hand. 2. Cream and sepia colour background with sepia photograph of Watson's Pier, ANZAC Cove June 1915. 3. Cream and sepia colour background, with sepia photograph of sappers disarming weapons. 203, 232, 432 pages - cut, plain off white colour paper. Illustrated - black and white photographs and maps. Endpapers - illustrated 1. Drawing in blue colour. 2. & 3. Maps - black and white colour. publications, books, military history, royal australian engineers

Ill, p.272.non-fictionPublished by Balgowlah-Seaforth-Clontarf Returned and Services League of Australia Sub Branch on the occasion of the Sub Branch 50 Year Anniversary 8 August 1995 and Australia Remembers 1945-1995australia - military - personal narratives, royal australia navy - history

Ill, maps, index, p.642.non-fictionIn 1928 the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquired the fast and heavy cruiser HMAS Australia, the second RAN ship to bear this name. After being virtually mothballed in the Depression years she would come in to her own as the flagship of the Australian fleet when the world awoke to the menace of Hitler's Germany.royal australia navy - history, history - military - naval - australia

Index, ill, maps, p.305.non-fictionA history of naval uniforms from the late 19th century to post WWIImilitary uniforms, royal australian navy - history