Self help

Sometimes your research is beyond our resources. But… we can always point you in the right direction for self-help research.

You can contact our researchers by email or phone (02-9359 2372).

Personal histories
Naval operations
Bookmarks & links to other organisations

Personal histories

Nominal Rolls are a good source of information about the service records of a family member of friend.
The National Archives has an excellent, searchable data base of information on defence – highly recommended.
There are also several Goverment websites that are worth looking at.

More about Personal histories.

Naval operations

The Australian War Memorial and the RAN Sea Power Centre are excellent sources of information – very highly recommended.

More about Naval operations.

Bookmarks & Links

There are other organisations who also research naval history. We’ve put together a list of some good sites that might help you fill gaps in your research.

More about Bookmarks & Links.

NHSA

‘The Skiff Party’ by Pattie Wright

00:00 / 36 minutes

‘The Skiff Party’ by Pattie Wright

Jul 14, 2017 • 36 minutes

The true story of two English children fleeing the Japanese out of Singapore on the ill-fated SS Vyner Brooke Her first book ‘Men of the Line’ resulted from a simple
Aircraft Direction Experiences in HMAS Australia II during World War II by Ian Wrigley

Jul 14, 2017 • 33 minutes

Ian Wrigley served as a Royal Australian Naval Officer during WW2 in the then new specialisation of Navigation and Direction. This involved the use of Radar for both offensive and
Life in HMAS Melbourne II by Commander Tom de Voil RAN (Ret)

Jul 14, 2017 • 57 minutes

Tom de Voil’s involvement with HMAS Melbourne began with his first posting to sea. Over his career he was posted to her again, once as a watch keeping EO and
The Loss of HMAS Armidale by Dr Kevin Smith

Nov 8, 2017 • 53 minutes

Podcast of Dr Kevin Smith talking about the Loss of HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942 . Recorded in Sydney on 18 April 2017 Duration 53 minutes
AE1 – The Ship without a Name, Musical Composition by Lieutenant Matthew Klohs RAN.

Nov 25, 2018 • 6 minutes

AE1 – The Ship without a Name composed by Lieutenant Matthew Klohs RAN is performed performed by the Royal Australian Navy Band with narrative by Mr Mike Carlton. It was composed to
AE2 – Stoker’s Submarine, Musical Composition by Lieutenant Matthew Klohs RAN.

Nov 25, 2018 • 5 minutes

AE2 – Stoker’s Submarine, composed by Lieutenant Matthew Klohs RAN is performed by the Royal Australian Navy Band with narrative by Mr Mike Carlton. It was composed to commemorate the Centenary of the
First Victory, Musical Composition by Petty Officer Musician Martyn Hancock

Nov 25, 2018 • 12 minutes

First Victory by Petty Officer Musician Martyn Hancock, honours the Sydney-Emden WW1 battle. It is performed performed by the Royal Australian Navy Band with narrative by Mr Mike Carlton. It was composed to
Mrs Ruby Boye (Jones), Australia’s only female Coastwatcher during World War Two talks about her duties and life in the Solomon Islands.

Jun 7, 2021 • 27 minutes

Ruby Boye (Jones) was living on the island of Vanikoro in the Santa Cruz group of the then British Solomon Islands Protectorate when World War Two broke out. Changing circumstances
A brief introduction to the unveiling of the British Pacific Fleet Memorial by the NHSA President Lew Lind

Jun 27, 2021 • 7 minutes

Recorded onboard HMAS Sydney on 7th September 1973. Duration is 7 minutes
The unveiling ceremony of the British Pacific Force Memorial in 1973

Jun 27, 2021 • 35 minutes

In August 1944 the British Pacific Fleet did not exist but just six months later, consisting of ships of not only the Royal Navy but those of Australia, New Zealand,