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You are here: Home / Artworks / HMAS Kiama / “Make and Mend”, HMAS Kiama, New Guinea, 1945

“Make and Mend”, HMAS Kiama, New Guinea, 1945

by Keith Swain

“Make and Mend”, HMAS Kiama, New Guinea, 1945
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Setting:
WW II (1939-1945)
Courtesy of the Virtual War Memorial Website

The painting depicts the crew of the corvette HMAS Kiama swimming in the sea.

Following is a description of the painting entitled “Make and Mend”, HMAS Kiama, New Guinea 1945. This is part of a family photo collection.

 

 

  • About Keith Swain

    Keith was born in Brisbane, Queensland and enlisted in the RAN as an Able Seaman on 25 March 1943. He was discharged from the RAN on 10 May 1946.

    The only details I have been able to obtain about Keith is that in 1972 he approached the Australian War Memorial with a sketch for a large-scale painting based on the depiction of HMAS Katoomba, in dry dock in Darwin, under aerial attack on 19 February 1942. The Australian War Memorial accepted the proposal and provided photographs to Swain, including images of Australian vessels and aerial shots of Darwin Harbour, as well as topographical maps of the area. Keith completed the painting and it was accessioned into the collection of the Australian War Memorial in 1975. (AWM ART 28075).

    From obituary records Keith’s death was recorded as 31 December 1994 (aged 70) and his remains are at Monument Queensland Garden of Remembrance Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane City.

    More paintings by Keith Swain

More reading

  • Additional resources for Keith Swain
    • Japanese air attacks on Darwin Harbour, 19th February 1942 (awm.gov.au)
  • Additional resources for HMAS KiamaSailors at rest
    • HMAS Kiama, The Sea Power Centre (navy.gov.au)
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Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2025

Naval Historical Review: June 2007
June 2007 Front Page
June 2007 Front Page
2007 Inside Front Cover
2007 Inside Front Cover
2007 Inside Rear Cover
2007 Inside Rear Cover
June 2007 Rear Cover
June 2007 Rear Cover

The painting of HMAS Warramunga reflects a major article in this edition which provides a potted history of the RAN in the Korean War. The images  of HMAS Adelaide reference the article about Adelaide’s Boarding party. It was only resourceful action by the ship’s helicopter, directed by the Flight Commander, that enabled the Boarding Party to be safely recovered, thereby averting an international incident.

Articles from this Edition

  • Book Review: The Royal Australian Navy – a History
  • Further Reflections on the Sydney/Kormoran Battle, 1941
  • Gascoyne to the Rescue On Christmas Day 1944
  • HMAS Adelaide – Boarding Party, Persian Gulf 2004
  • HMAS Quickmatch – Medical Rescue – 1944
  • Korean Waters – Tribal Class Destroyers
  • Leadership: Admiral of the Fleet Isoroku Yamamoto
  • Letters: Followup on Singapore Naval Base