HMAS Albatross (l) c1928
- About John Bastock
In 1913 John and his father watched the First Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sail into Sydney Harbour. From that time on he knew he wanted to join the navy.
At age 15, he joined the RAN training ship HMAS Tingira. After successfully completing his training, he served on a number of RAN ships. He served in HMAS Brisbane (I) on the China Station and then on HMAS Melbourne (I) in the Mediterranean he then served the final commission of HMAS Sydney (I). He then sailed in S.S. Beltana to commission HMAS Canberra (I) at Clydebank, Scotland.
On the ship’s long voyage to Australia, John found time to take up painting. He completed many paintings on board the Canberra. On his return to Australia John trained at HMAS Cerberus as a torpedo-gunner’s mate and qualified.
In 1931 Bastock sustained a serious eye injury whilst on duty and was medically discharged 18 February 1932. He had reached the rank of Leading Seaman Torpedoman. He found employment with the electrical branch of the New South Wales Department of Public Works and later the State Electricity Commission. Over time his sight improved, and he resumed painting.
In the years to follow he painted many subjects and executed hundreds of drawings, diagrams and paintings of ships and wrote many articles on both ships and maritime subjects. He also wrote the popular reference books 'Australia's Ships of War' (1975) and 'Ships on the Australia Station' (1990). Many of his paintings were donated to the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney.
The hallmark of John’s work was his attention to detail. His dedicated research, along with the knowledge and experience gained during his service at sea, enabled his drawings and paintings to be correct in every detail.
- About HMAS Albatross (I)
Albatross (l) was a Seaplane Tender. Albatross was recommissioned on 19 April 1938 to carry over 300 RAN personnel who were to commission HMAS Hobart. On arriving at Plymouth on 9 September 1938 Albatross was handed over to the Royal Navy.
HMS Albatross had an illustrious service with the Royal Navy after recommissioning from reserve and embarking six Walrus I amphibians. As a seaplane carrier she served in the South Atlantic, West Africa and Madagascar areas.
More reading
- Additional resources for John Bastock
- Additional resources for HMAS Albatross (I)
