Recently, in discussing Patrick O’Brian’s books, some of the younger members of the group were intrigued – if not incredulous – when I mentioned that I had received Prize Money ...
The Australian National Flag
Obituary: Rear Admiral Bryn Mussared (1917-1995)
Rear Admiral Bryn Mussared was born in 1917 in Semaphore SA, and entered the Navy in 1932. On passing out from the Naval College, he was awarded ‘maximum time’ and the ...
Report:HMAS Sydney II-Possible and probable causes of loss
The Department of Marine Archaeology, Western Australia has produced a Report No. 104, by W.J. Olsen, investigating the possible and probable causes of the loss of H.M.A.S. “SYDNEY”. It is ...
Nelson’s Signals on the Eve of Trafalgar
In this “Australia Remembers” year, it is fitting to reflect on the 190th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, and what “might have been” if Lord Nelson had been defeated ...
Sparrow Force – Timor 1942-1943 – Under false colours?
In February 1942 when the Japanese army invaded Timor a small band of Australians – the `Sparrow Force’ – took to the mountains and began a guerilla war against the ...
Obituary: Lieutenant C.L.M (Jack) Shepperd, MBE DSM
Anybody who served in HMAS NIRIMBA between 1956 and its closure in 1994 would have known Jack Shepperd. He died on Wednesday, 17th August, 1994 aged 86. Apart from family ...
HMAS ADELAIDE (1922-1945)
HMAS ADELAIDE – Light Cruiser HMAS Adelaide (1922 to 1945) Painting by John Bastock Displacement: 5,560 tons standard Length: 460 ft (140.20 m) overall Beam: 50 ft (15.24 m) Draught: 18½ ...
The Two Falkland Islands Wars – 1982 (Part 2)
Battle for Falkland Islands – 1982 The Argentine seizure of the Falkland Islands (las Islas Malvinas) on 2 April 1982 took place at a time when the British Royal Navy ...
The Two Falkland Islands Wars – 1914 (Part 1)
New Diving Launches Arrive
August 16, 1993 saw two new large diving launches constructed by Geraldton Boat Builders of Geraldton, arrive at HMAS STIRLING for handover to the Royal Australian Navy in company with ...
HMAS Sterling-Fleet Base West
HMAS Sydney III – 1948-1973
Veteran aircraft carrier of Korean War (1951-54), Malaysian/Indonesian confrontation emergency (1964) and troop transport of Vietnam conflict (1965-72) Left Foreground: Patrol Boat/Assault Support Right Middle: Australian Army Vessel of Brudenell White/Clive ...
The Captain’s Table
The ocean liner was carrying a group of veterans returning to Europe on a visit. A dozen of his group had been assigned to the Captain’s table but, unfortunately, the ship ran into ...
Book Review: HMAS Canberra – Iron Bottom Sound
HMAS Canberra lies at the bottom of Ironbottom Sound, her eight-inch guns still reaching vainly for the Imperial Japanese enemy which surprised and overwhelmed her with a hurricane of shell ...
HMAS Nirimba – End of an Era – 1993
The Defence Force Establishment at Quakers Hill, N.S.W. spent most of its life as part of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This is fitting since the first non-Aboriginal people to ...
RAN Minesweepers and Minehunters
HMAS Albatross – a brief history
The decision to build an airfield on the land now occupied by the Naval Air Station was taken soon after WWII was declared in 1939. The RAAF occupied the new ...
Transfield Shipbuilding
Transfield Shipbuilding has emerged as a regional leader in the provision of naval and commercial marine engineering services. By combining the capabilities of Transfield Amecon and Transfield Defence Systems in ...
Lieutenant-Commander R.W. Rankin of HMAS Yarra
On 14th August, 1992, shortly after HMAS CRESWELL’S annual Passing Out Parade, Miss Trish Rankin presented her father’s medals to Captain C.S.H. Harrington, RAN, Commanding Officer of HMAS CRESWELL. Fifty ...
RAN College – History Of 1913 Entry
In July 1991, Rear Admiral H.A. Showers, CBE, RAN (Rtd) died in Sydney. With his passing the last link with the historic first entry to the Royal Australian Naval College ...
The Battles – a Pictorial
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Campaign Medals – Maori Wars – 1860-1861
The New Zealand Medal to the Victorian Naval Service 1860/61 There had been fighting between the Maoris, who had first settled in New Zealand c825, and the white settlers, but ...
Sydney – Convict Colony or a ‘normal’ British Colony?
RAN Ships and Their Commanders at the Outbreak of WW2
Commodore in command of Australian Fleet at the outbreak of 1939-45 War: Commodore 2nd Class W.R. Patterson, C.V.O. (R.N.) Commanding Officers, H.M.A. Ships at the outbreak of 1939-45 War: ADELAIDE: ...