Showing 232 items
matching australian navy ships
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Wesley John Olson, HMAS Sydney (II) : in peace and war, 2016
No other warship in the history of the Royal Australian Navy has inspired and fired the public imagination like HMAS Sydney (II). This is the story of the ship and the men who served in her.Index, bib, ill, maps, p.610.non-fictionNo other warship in the history of the Royal Australian Navy has inspired and fired the public imagination like HMAS Sydney (II). This is the story of the ship and the men who served in her.hmas sydney, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, A collection of various coloured & b/w Photograph of naval ships
... Newhaven phillip-island-and-the-bass-coast Naval Ships Australia ...Some photos are b/w & others are coloured.naval ships, australia. royal australian navy -- history -- vietnam war, 1961-1975 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Plaque, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam
Wooden shield with gold and black decal of a kangaroo on a crest with ships crown on topRoyal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnamplaque, royal australian navy, helicopter flight -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Poster - Poster, Information Board, RAN in the Vietnam War
Storyboard - the role of the RAN in the Vietnam War. Early goodwill visits, diving teams, Logistic Support, Helicopter flights & background of naval ships.royal australian navy, vietnam war - 1961-1975 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Army Navy, 1/08/1966 12:00:00 AM
Mounted black and white photograph. Vietnam August 1966. Sgt ADA Knight a crew member of Australian Army landing ship Clive Steel using radio to keep in touch with Army Units. Clive Steel operates on Saigon river between Saigon and Vung TauAWM for/66/o711/VNphotograph, clive steel, sgt ada knight, saigon -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Briefing Denis Gibbons
A black and white photograph of Tonkin Gulf, North Vietnam 25th May 1967 Lt Stanley L Masterton briefs Australian War Correspondent, Denis Gibbons, during his visit to the Australian Guided Missile Destroyer HMAS Hobart. the briefing is taking place on the flag deck, where a large set of signal flags are visible in a ready use locker behind them. the ship, was at that time engaging, with ship to shore gunfire, a major "choke point" (an area where the North Vietnamese were preparing war supplies to be shipped to their units in South Vietnam) at the township of "Vinh". Hobart was expecting, at any moment, counted battery fire from North Vietnamese coastal batteries after radar stations on Hainan Island, Near Haiphong Harbour and at Vinh had locked onto Horart's position with very accurate triangular positioning. Lt Masterton was informing Gibbons of the incoming enemy fire and was worried he (Gibbons) was not wearing a helment, gibbons, most respectfully advised Lt Masterton that he could not operate his cameras with a helmet on. Hobart immediately turned and saled, very rapidly, out to sea as the counter battery fire commencedAustralian War memorial negative: Navy 13503photograph, hmas hobart, lt stanley l masterton, denis gibbons, vinh, hainan island, haiphong harbour, gibbons collection catalogue -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Nott, Rodney and Payne, Noel, The Vung Tau Ferry: HMAS Sydney and Escort Ships (Vietnam 1965-1972) (Copy 3)
The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - naval operations, hmas sydney (aircraft carrier), the vung tau ferry, royal australian navy, hmas sydney, 25 troop transport task force -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Pfennigwerth, Ian, Tiger territory: the untold story of the Royal Australian Navy in Southeast Asia from 1948 - 1971
Between 1948, when Australia assumed strategic responsibility for British Commonwealth sea lines of communication to and from Southeast Asia and 1971, when the Five Power Defence Arrangements came into effect, ships and men of the Royal Australian Navy served with almost unnoticed distinction in defending the newly emerging nations of Malaya, Malaysia and Singapore.Between 1948, when Australia assumed strategic responsibility for British Commonwealth sea lines of communication to and from Southeast Asia and 1971, when the Five Power Defence Arrangements came into effect, ships and men of the Royal Australian Navy served with almost unnoticed distinction in defending the newly emerging nations of Malaya, Malaysia and Singapore.australia. royal australian navy - history - 20th century, australia - military relations - southeast asia -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Plaque - Plaque-HMAS Sydney
In 1965, HMAS Sydney sailed on the first of 25 trips to Vũng Tàu, transporting Australian soldiers and equipment to serve in the Vietnam War. This is how the ship became known by the nickname " the Vung Tau Ferry".Shield-shaped wooden plaque with a bronze attachment displaying a crown, anchor, boomerang, woomera and nulla nulla with the word Sydney. Emblem of he HMAS SydneySYDNEY / THOROUGH AND READYsydney, navy, vungtau ferry, hmas sydney, australian navy -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Australia's Navy In Vietnam
A hard cover book about the Royal Australian navy Operations 1965-72 titled Australia's Navy In Vietnam. Photograph on the cover is RAN ship D39 and two helicopters below.book, ran, cerberus collection -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Medal - Medal, Replica, Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal
Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal: The VSLM was established in 1993, and awarded for one or more of service in support of the Australian Armed Forces in operations in Vietnam from 29th May 1964 to 27th January 1973. Civilian surgical and medical teams and other civilian groups who served in Vietnam under Government Jurisdiction, crew members of ships or aircraft; those attached to , or serving with, an Australian or Allied Unit as an observer were eligible. Over 16,000 civilians were awarded the VLSM.Round silver coloured medal with QE II on the obverse. Ribbon is stripes of red, navy, yellow and pale blue. The VSLM was established in 1993, and awarded for one or more of service in support of the Australian Armed Forces in operations in Vietnam from 29th May 1964 to 27th January 1973. Civilian surgical and meidical teams and other civilian groups who served in Vietnam under Government Jurisdiction, crew members of ships or aircraft; those attached to , or serving with, an Australian or Allied Unit as an observer were eligible. Over 16,000 civilians were awarded the VLSM.Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina FDaustralian medal, vietnam logistic and support, vlsm -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Nott, Rodney and Payne, Noel, The Vung Tau Ferry: HMAS Sydney and Escort Ships (Vietnam 1965-972), (Copy 1)
The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - naval operations, hmas sydney (aircraft carrier), the vung tau ferry, 25 troop transport task force, royal australian navy, australia. royal australian navy, hmas s, hmas sydney -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Nott, Rodney and Payne, Noel, The Vung Tau Ferry: HMAS Sydney And Escort Ships (Vietnam 1965-1972) (Copy 2)
The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.The dates and compsition of the 25 Troop Transport Task Force groups that served in the operational area during Australia's involvement in Vietnam 1965-72.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - naval operations, hmas sydney (aircraft carrier), hmas sydney, the vung tau ferry, 25, 25 troop transport task force, royal australian navy -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Badman, Peter, Modern Military Towards 2000
This book contains information regarding the history of our many ships used during wars.This book contains information regarding the history of our many ships used during wars.military art and science - australia - technological innovations, australian defence force, royal australian air force, royal australian navy, warfare -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Evans, Carla, Mostly Sailors
... Australian Navy - History - Vietnamese Conflict 1961-1975 Vietnam War ...Mostly Sailors deals with the life of sailors on board various ships in the Royal Australian Navy and how a boring and monotonous day can turn quickly into life threatening situations.Mostly Sailors deals with the life of sailors on board various ships in the Royal Australian Navy and how a boring and monotonous day can turn quickly into life threatening situations.australia. royal australian navy - history - vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - naval operations, australian -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Andrews, Graeme, Fighting ships of Australia and New Zealand
A brief history of ships that have served Australia and New ZealandA brief history of ships that have served Australia and New Zealandaustralia. royal australian navy - pictorial works, warships - pictorial works -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Plaque
A wooden shield with metal insignia , In the middle of the igsignia with dark blue centre with a white cross and silver anchor. On top of insignia there is a crown with coloured stones and a ship. Wording on the shield is Royal Australian Navy - Chaplains. For God And CountryRoyal Australian Navy - Chaplains. For God And Countryshield, ran, cerberus collection -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia - Framed newspaper articles photos and flags
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 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Print, HMAS Australia
With the outbreak of the First World War, HMAS Australia became the flagship of the naval force that captured the German colonies in the southern Pacific. She led a force which captured Rabaul on 13 September 1914 before proceeding to Samoa. With no German forces left in the South Pacific, Australia was deployed to the United Kingdom. En route she sank the German ship Eleanore Woermann. On 8 February 1915 she became flagship of the 2nd Battle-cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. Australia's service with the Grand Fleet consisted of a series of frequent patrols and exercises. She was twice rammed, firstly on 22 April 1916 by HMS New Zealand. This led to her missing the Battle of Jutland which, considering the disastrous losses in the Battle-cruiser Force, may well have been fortunate. She was rammed again by HMS Repulse in December 1917. Australia carried out experimental aircraft operations in 1918 and led the port column of the Grand Fleet at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet. Returning home in 1919, Australia suffered a mutiny upon reaching Fremantle, Western Australia. Quite obsolete, she became a training vessel in Westernport until scuttled off Sydney Heads on 12 April 1924.The Australian Navy's first flagship, the battle cruiser HMAS Australia (I) was the centrepiece of the 'Fleet Unit', whose acquisition signalled the RAN's arrival as a credible ocean going force. Ordered from John Brown and Company in March 1910, construction began three months later with the total cost of the ship and fittings expected to be some £2 million. The Commonwealth Government decided upon the name Australia, and it proved a popular choice, carefully avoiding any suggestion of favouritism towards any one Australian State. The ship's badge maintained the national theme by featuring the Federation Star overlaid by a naval crown, while the motto 'Endeavour' reflected the ideal of the Australian spirit and recalled Lieutenant James Cook's ship of 1768-71.Timber frame of black and white print of a ship at sea.Imperial War Museum Photograph HMAS AUSTRALIA - RAN FLAGSHIP First flagship of the Royal Austrlian Navy 1913-1920 Sunk under the terms of the Washington Treaty 12th April 1924 This frame is made of teak from her deckhmas australia, ww1 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Plaque - Memorial
Memorial plaque and Letter of condolence from Buckingham Palace signed by King George V sent to the family George William PAGE - born 20/5/1900. He served with the RAN aboard HMAS Tingira a training ship for boys during the First World War. He died by accidental drowning in Sydney on 16/3/1919. Service No 6790George William PAGE served with the RAN aboard HMAS Tingira a training ship for boys during the First World War. On 16/3/1919 he died by accidental drowning. In 1911 Sobraon was purchased by the Commonwealth Government for £15,000 and fitted out as a boy’s training ship at Mort’s Dock Balmain. The name chosen for her was an aboriginal word meaning ‘open sea’ and she was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Tingira on 25 April 1912. On 1 June 1912 the first batch of 37 boys recruited from New South Wales joined Tingira. Drafts from other states quickly followed, completing the first intake of 100. Entry was limited to boys between the ages of 14½ and 16 years who were bound to serve for seven years following their 18th birthday.Round metal plaque and letter with red crest mounted on rectangular timber board."HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR" GEORGE WILLIAM PAGEgeorge william page, memorial plaque, royal australian navy -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed print, HMAS Melbourne
HMAS 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. She was, however, involved in two major collisions with allied vessels; though Melbourne was found not to be the primary cause of either incident. The first occurred on the evening of 10 February 1964, in which Melbourne rammed and sank the RAN destroyer HMAS Voyager when the latter altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's personnel 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 also rammed the United States Navy (USN) destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four American 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. HMAS Melbourne 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 Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisionsMoulded patterned black plastic frame and mount containing black and white print of hand drawn ship at seaThe Majestic Melbourne Dedicated to those who servedhmas melbourne, ran, aircraft carrier -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed print, HMAS Sydney, 2008
Depicting the boarding of Australian Troops from Vung Tau, Vietnam for return to Australia following active service in Vietnam. HMAS Sydney was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built for the Royal Navy and launched as HMS Terrible (93) in 1944, but was not completed before the end of World War II. The carrier was sold to Australia in 1947, completed, and commissioned into the RAN as Sydney in 1948. Sydney was the first of three conventional aircraft carriers to serve in the RAN, and operated as the navy's flagship during the early part of her career. From late 1951 to early 1952, she operated off the coast of Korea during the Korean War, making her the first carrier owned by a Commonwealth Dominion, and the only carrier in the RAN, to see wartime service. Retasked as a training vessel following the 1955 arrival of her modernised sister ship, HMAS Melbourne, Sydney remained in service until 1958, when she was placed in reserve as surplus to requirements. The need for a sealift capability saw the ship modified for service as a fast troop transport, and recommissioned in 1962. Sydney was initially used for training and a single supply run in support of Malaysia's defence policy against Indonesia, but in 1965, she sailed on the first voyage to Vũng Tàu, transporting soldiers and equipment to serve in the Vietnam War. 25 voyages to Vietnam were made between 1965 and 1972, earning the ship the nickname "Vung Tau Ferry". Sydney was decommissioned in 1973, and was not replaced. Despite several plans to preserve all or part of the ship as a maritime museum, tourist attraction, or car park, the carrier was sold to a South Korean steel mill for scrapping in 1975A pictorial image of troops returning to Australia from Vietnam.Timber frame with mount containing print of ship at sea and soldiers in a barge in foreground.Homeward Boundhmas sydney, ran -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Image depicts two basalt war memorials located in the Memorial Gardens next to the Holy Trinity Cathedral The first commemorating the four local soldiers killed in the Boer War and a declaration of peace at Pretoria. It was unveiled in 1903 by Colonel John Hoad. (Later Sir John Hoad) a one time Wangaratta resident who became chief of the Australian General Staff. The second memorial bears the names of residents who were killed in the two World Wars as well as the Vietnam War. It was unveiled in 1923 by Colonel Scott, a former borough engineer. The image includes 2 x 32 pound cannons taken from HMS Nelson, a Royal Navy warship built between 1809-1814. The Nelson was transferred to the Victorian Colonial Navy as a cut down two decker in 1867.. The ship arrived in Port Phillip on 4 February 1868 and decommissioned in 1893. The cannons arrived in Wangaratta in 1901.Each year an ANZAC service is held in the gardens to remember those that served our country during times of war.Unframed sepia photograph of two tall monuments in garden setting.Memorial Gardens, Wangaratta Valentine Series No 1028cenotaph, wangaratta, war memorial, boer war, ww1, ww2, vietnam war, hms nelson, cannons -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed poster, HMAS Sydney in Korean waters 1951-1952
Reproduction print of HMAS Sydney in Korean waters launching Hawker Sea Fury fighters. Sydney was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built for the Royal Navy but was not completed before the end of World War II. The carrier was sold to Australia in 1947, completed and commissioned into the RAN in 1948. From late 1951 to early 1952, she operated off the coast of Korea during the Korean War, making her the first carrier in the RAN, to see wartime service. The Donor, Errol DREHER served with the RAN on board HMAS Sydney during the Korean War.HMAS Sydney was the first of three conventional aircraft carriers to serve in the RAN, and operated as the navy's flagship during the early part of her career. Retasked as a training vessel following the 1955 arrival of her modernised sister ship, HMAS Melbourne, Sydney remained in service until 1958, when she was placed in reserve as surplus to requirements. The need for a sealift capability saw the ship modified for service as a fast troop transport, and recommissioned in 1962. In 1965, she sailed on the first voyage to Vũng Tàu, transporting soldiers and equipment to serve in the Vietnam War. 25 voyages to Vietnam were made between 1965 and 1972, earning the ship the nickname "Vung Tau Ferry". Sydney was decommissioned in 1973, and was not replaced. Brown timber frame containing blue poster with image of ship and plane at seaHMAS Sydney in Korean waters 1951-1952 Painting by Roy Honisett, courtesy Australian War Memorial Royal Australian Navy 75th Anniversaryhmas sydney, korea, royal australian navy -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Poster, HMAS Sydney, Unknown
The striking image on the poster shows men crowded on the deck after the successful action against the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni on 19 July 1940. On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. The faces of many of the 645 servicemen who died in Australia’s greatest naval tragedy feature on this special poster produced to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of the HMAS Sydney. For more than six decades the location of the Sydney had remained a mystery until the wreckages of both HMAS Sydney and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser Kormoran were discovered around 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia. The sinking of the Sydney and the loss of all her crew in the Second World War is the single greatest naval tragedy Australia has experienced in Australian waters.Black plastic frame with grey mount containing poster/photograph of Navy crew on ship and in foreground. top left corner - Lest We Forget Bottom of print - HMAS SYDNEY 19 November, 1941 hmas sydney, ww2, 19/11/1941, kormoran, ran -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Graphite Print, 13/05/2005
To commemorating 40 years since The Dawn Of a New Era for the Royal Australian Navy - 1965-2005 - A limited release of a graphite print of Guided Missile Destroyers HMA Ships PERTH (38), HOBART (39) and BRISBANE (41) served the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1965 and 2001.These ships were the first for the RAN to have been designed for the 'Missile Era' and were also the first to be not of a British design instead they were purchased from the United States of America. All 3 served with distinction on the 'Gun Line' during the Vietnam War and the BRISBANE also saw operations of the First Gulf War.Framed print drawn in graphite depicting three Guided Missile Destroyers at sea RAN - Commemorating 40 years since The Dawn Of a New Era for the Royal Australian Navy - 1965-2005 Limited Edition 3/50ran, hmas perth, hobart and brisbane, guided missile destroyers -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Box, HMAS Voyager, c1957
A gift to Ron Cochrane, a member of the Navy commissioning team of HMAS Voyager. The box was handmade by two brothers CLARK/E (?) from Benalla. The signatures done in ball point pen belonged to the crew attached to the portside Forward Mess. They presented the box to Cochrane who was responsible for the Mess as a token of appreciation. Ron Cochrane R46195 served as a Leading Hand with the Royal Australian Navy between 1951 and 1957 and served on numerous ships including HMAS Voyager between 6/2 - 6/10/1957. He was born on 20/3/1933 at Ballarat East. Daring class destroyer, Voyager, was the first ship of her class to enter Australian service, and the first all-welded ship to be built in Australia. During the night of 10 February 1964, Voyager and the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne collided off Jervis Bay, when the destroyer passed in front of the carrier during post-refit sea trials. Voyager was cut in two by the collision, sinking with the loss of 82 of the 314 people aboard. This was the largest loss of Australian military personnel in peacetime, and the subsequent investigations resulted in the holding of two Royal Commissions—the only time in Australian history this has occurred.Cream painted wooden box with metal hinges. There is an inscription and ship on the lid and autographs written in ink on the underside of the lid. On top of lid - HMAS Voyager 1957 On bottom: Bills, bills and more bills !!!!!! Dotted line R Cochranehmas, voyager -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Print - Frame Print
An imaginary gathering of the nine Australian Ships which at different times served the United Nations Forces fighting the North Koreans and Chinese during the Korean War of 1950-53. The item belonged to Clarence Stanley FLENTJAR R38429 who enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy. He served on HMAS Cerebus, Tobruk and Melville and a veteran of the Korean War. The Korean War was a war fought between North Korea and South Korea from 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea.North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the United Nations, principally the United States. The fighting ended with an armistice on 27 July 1953.Black frame with cream mount containing a screen print on silk depicting 9 naval ships and 4 airborne aircraft at sea Australia's Navy in the Korean War 1950-53 An imaginary gathering of the nine Australian Ships which at different times served the United Nations Forces fighting the North Koreans and Chinese during the Korean War of 1950-53. The aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, in the centre, is being screened in close order by (clockwise from top centre) the frigates Condamine, Culgoa, Shoalhaven and Murchison, and the destroyers Tobruk, Warramunga, Anzac and Bataan. Airborne overhead are Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft from HMAS Sydney. White Plaque - mounted on glass - C S FLENTJAR 38429 HMAS Tobruk D37 Korea 1951-1952ran, korean war, hmas tobruk, hmas cerebus, hmas melville -
Sunshine and District Historical Society Incorporated
Photograph (1950), The Migrant Ship HELLENIC PRINCE, Copy 27/01/2014 - (Original Post Card circa 1950)
In 1949 the HELLENIC PRINCE with its 3 hospitals, 2 cinemas, and air conditioned accommodation was chartered by the International Refugee Organisation to transport displaced persons from Europe to Australia. Its first trip was to Sydney where it arrived with 1000 passengers on 5 December 1949. On the third trip it left Naples on 23 March 1950, and arrived in Fremantle on 20 April 1950, and in Melbourne on 25 April 1950. The men and women were separated for the voyage with my father sleeping on a hammock in a large room with other men, while my mother, my brother, and I had bunks in a shared cabin. On board were displaced persons ex Bagnoli Camp Italy, some of whom later built their bungalows on the grassy and rocky paddocks near Sunshine Victoria, and began to establish a new life in a new country. A few of the families that arrived on the third trip and purchased land in the Dunkeld Ave - Sandford Ave area of North Sunshine (Birmingham Estate) were Janczak, Kolanowicz, Mroz, Pawlak, Rasztabiga, Skrobalak, Szydlowski, Witkowski, and Zielinski. Some friends settled elsewhere in Sunshine. The family Tabaka went to West Sunshine just over the Derby Rd Bridge, while the family Wojcik went to Ardeer. The ship first started service in 1929 for the Royal Australian Navy as the HMAS ALBATROSS. It had a standard displacement of 4,800 tons and was 443 feet 7 inches (135.2 metres) long, and its top speed during trials reached 22 knots (41 km/hr). It was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard as Australia's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes), but the aircraft that it was designed for were retired just before the ship went into service. A new plane specifically designed to work with the Albatross began operations after the ship was decommissioned in 1933, and placed into reserve in Sydney Harbour. Seaplanes continued to operate from the anchored ship. (Click on the Link 'HMAS Albatross (1)' situated above the Object Registration number to view pictures of the HMAS Albatross on the Navy web site). In 1938 the ship was recommissioned and transferred to the Royal Navy as part payment for the light cruiser Hobart. The ship then did military service for the Royal Navy during World War 2. It did patrol and escort duties in the southern Atlantic, and from mid 1942 in the Indian Ocean. By early 1944 the ship was converted so that it could repair landing craft and other support vessels off Sword and Juno beaches. The ship managed to return 132 craft into service and to save 79 others from total loss. On 11 August 1944 Albatross was torpedoed with the loss of either 50 or 66 personnel, but was able to be towed back to Portsmouth. After repairs she did a short service as a minesweeper depot ship, and following that was placed into reserve on 3 August 1945. In August 1946 the ship was sold for commercial use but the plans to convert it into a luxury liner or a floating cabaret fell through. The ship was again sold on 14 November 1948 to the British-Greek Yannoulatos Group, who renamed it HELLENIC PRINCE in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles and his Greek heritage. After conversion into a passenger ship the Hellenic Prince made several trips to Australia transporting displaced persons, however apparently not all trips were pleasant for the passengers. In the on board newsletter 'Kangaroo' dated 5 January 1951, the ship's master P. C. King expressed his indignation about the behaviour of passengers and made accusations of mutiny. According to some immigrants the conditions were appalling and overcrowded with 1200 passengers. Passengers were supposedly required to work and were paid with Woodbine cigarettes. The drinking water ran out, the freezer broke down, and fresh food that was brought on board went to the crew. Sea sickness was rife because the ship was rarely level due to malfunctioning pumps. (The newsletter 'Kangaroo' can be viewed at the Museum Victoria web site by clicking the Link 'Newsletter - Kangaroo'). In 1953 during the Mau Mau uprising the Hellenic Prince was used to transport troops to Kenya, and in 1954 the ship came to an end in a scrap yard at Hong Kong. THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS COMPILED FROM; (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Albatross_(1928) (accessed 11/2/2013), (2) An article by Graeme Andrews found at http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2011/july-2011/The_boat_people_of_the _forties_and_fifties#.UuYY6ou4apo (accessed 27/1/14), (3) http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/273166/newsletter-kangaroo-hellenic-prince-5-jan-1951 (accessed 27/1/14), (4) National Archive search starting at; www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/index.aspx (accessed 27/1/14), (5) http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/3864781978 (accessed 29/1/14). Hellenic Prince has a significance to Sunshine Victoria because some of the displaced people from Europe, who arrived in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1950, were among the first people to settle in the grassy and rocky paddock areas of North Sunshine. These settlers established a residential suburban area out of the paddocks. In those early days there were no services and the planned roads were basically just drawings on a map. The ship is also significant because it was named in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles. In the ship's former life as the HMAS Albatross the significance is that it was built in Australia as our country's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes).New photograph made from a scanned copy of a circa 1950 Post Card featuring the ship on calm water.Hellenic Prince / Hong Konghellenic prince, migrant ship, displaced persons, refugees, international refugee organisation, bagnoli camp, hmas albatross, yannoulatos group -
Geelong Naval and Maritime Museum
Ditty Box, John Kidd's Ditty Box, c.1915-1930
There is a single record with the RAN for a John Kidd, who commenced service in 1909 and left in 1912. Kidd was born in 1885 in Sydney and his mother lived in Queenscliff. He served on the HMAS Parramatta from 1911-1912. There is no evidence of him having served on the HMAS Melbourne. Kidd served from 1911-1912 on the HMAS Parramatta, the first ship launched for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).A wooden box with mortise and tenon joins, brass fittings, circular handles, silver hinges and a name plate on the front. The box has a lift out section creating compartments. On the inside lid of the box is a postcard of the HMAS Melbourne surrounded by small rope decoration. A number of keepsakes are inside including a fidd for splicing ropes, a Capstan Wills tobacco tin, 3 postcards, a "Bengall Imperial" cut throat razor (T.R. Cadman & Sons, Sheffield England), black and white bakelite buttons with embossed crown and anchor and brass shank (either for war time or junior officers), gold naval buttons with embossed naval anchor and 2 piece shank (from a coat and cuffs), a bullet casing (Webley '45), a petty officers cloth badge (crossed anchors with a Crown), 4 shells, a good conduct badge (black with gold embroidery) and a red/brown vulcanized asbestos fibre fireproof dog- tag with rope attached."John Kidd" on front of box. "20171" stamped on edge of box. Tobacco tin: "Medium/"Capstan"/Registered/Ready Rubbed Fine Cut Tobacco/-1 oz net weight when packed/W.D. & H.O. Wills/(Australia) Ltd., Sydney. Postcard: Main Street, Samarai. Postcard: Sydney from Lavender Bay Kerry (Copyright) Sydney. Postcard: "Docks showing cathedral, Bristol BL 193. Copyright Lilywhite (1932) Ltd, Sowerby Bridge". Buttons: "AUSTRALIA/Y6-298", "Buttons Ltd B'HAM mark trade" "AUSTRALIA Stokes & Son Melbourne". Bullet casing "WEB WRA 45". Dog-Tag may read "L/Ford" written in ink?ditty box, john kidd, dog-tag, wwi identification tag, lilywhite ltd, w.d & h.o wills, stokes & son melbourne, naval buttons, hmas melbourne