On This Day

1960-1975 > Vietnam era

November 7, 1965

LEUT Hugh Randall Syme, GC, GM and Bar, RANVR, died in Melbourne. Syme distinguished himself in rendering safe a wide variety of explosive devices employed by the Germans. Many of these bombs, mines and incendiary devices were dropped on British cities.

October 28, 1965

In the Australian Federal Parliament the Member for Batman, Mr S. J. Benson, argued with respect to the White Ensign being flown in Vietnam by Australia ships, which at that time was the British RN ensign, suggesting that Australia should look to introduce her own White Ensign.

September 21, 1965

HMAS MILDURA, (minesweeper), was sold out of service for breaking up at Brisbane. For the last 10 years of her life, she served as a stationary training ship for the RANR at Brisbane.

August 4, 1965

HMAS Yarra (III), commenced operations around West Malaysia as part of the Indonesian Confrontation conflict.

August 3, 1965

HMAS Parramatta (III), concluded operations around Borneo as part of the Indonesian Confrontation conflict

July 17, 1965

The Perth class, (Charles F Adams, DDG), guided missile destroyer HMAS PERTH, (CAPT I. H. Cartwright, RAN), was commissioned. PERTH was laid down in Defoe Shipbuilding Co, Bay City, Michigan, USA, on 21 September 1962, and launched on 26 September 1963. Lady Beale, (Wife of the Sir Harold Beale, Australian Ambassador to the USA), performed the launching ceremony.

June 28, 1965

HMAS Yarra bombarded Indonesian troops infilitrating islands off Tawau, North Borneo during the ongoing ‘confrontation’ against Malaysia by Indonesia. Yarra made 3 runs past her target on Sebatik Island firing a total of 70 rounds.

June 8, 1965

HMAS SYDNEY arrived at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, on her first passage to the war zone. She went on the make 25 trips.

May 27, 1965

With 347 officers and men of 1RAR embarked, as well as vehicles and stores, the fast troop transport, HMAS Sydney (III) departed Sydney for her first voyage to Vietnam, escorted by HMAS Duchess. The duo were later joined by HMA Ships Parramatta (III), Melbourne (II) and Vampire (II) and replenished by HMAS Supply en route

May 12, 1965

Five RAN ships sailed from Manila to take part in exercise ‘Sea Horse’ conducted to practise the protection of a convoy from submarines in the South China Sea. HMAS Ships Melbourne, Supply, Vampire, Parramatta and Yarra formed part of the 30 warship fleet engaged in the exercise.

March 27, 1965

HMAS Melbourne participated in Exercise Showpiece off Malaysia with RN aircraft carriers HMS Eagle (R05), HMS Bulwark (R08) and HMS Victorious (R38). The exercise was a political one intended to reassure the recently-independent Malaysia of the continued support of the British and her Commonwealth allies in the region during the ongoing Borneo Conflict with communist-backed Indonesia.

March 24, 1965

During the Indonesian ‘Confrontation’ to detect Indonesian boats smuggling arms or infiltrating Malaysia Fairey Gannets flew night-time patrols along the Strait of Malacca from HMAS Melbourne. Returning after a night sortie A/SBLT(P) Hutchison touched down on HMAS Melbourne at 0431 in Fairey Gannet WN456. The aircraft caught an arrestor wire, but the arrestor-hook broke allowing the aircraft to race unrestrained along the flight deck. Despite heavy braking the aircraft crashed over the ship’s port side into the sea. Two of the crew were rescued but after a lengthy search A/SBLT(P) Hutchison was never found.

March 12, 1965

Gallantry awards were conferred on the following RAN personnel for their part in saving lives after HMAS VOYAGER, (destroyer), was sunk following a collision with HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier):GC (Posthumous) – CPO Jonathon Rogers, DSM Albert Medal – (Posthumous) – MIDN Francis Marien, RANAlbert Medal – EM 1st Class William Joseph CondonGM – PO Douglas Moore, BEMBEM – PO Geoffrey Percival WorthBEM – POEM Edward James McDermott BEM – LS Raymond Ernest RichBEM – LEM Brian Victor LongbottomBEM – LSBA John Ronnie WilsonBEM – AB Eric Noel RobsonQueens Commendation – EM Hugh Francis GilvarryQueens Commendation – EA 2nd Class Anthony Page

March 5, 1965

Bosun fibreglass sailing dinghies were introduced into the RAN as replacements for the 4.3 metre timber Island class dinghies.

March 2, 1965

HMAS SPRIGHTLY, (fleet tug), was taken in hand for conversion to a submarine rescue ship.

February 24, 1965

VADM Sir Alan McNicholl was appointed as Chief of Naval Staff.

February 8, 1965

HMAS Ibis and Teal return to Sydney after 17 months serving with the Far East Strategic Reserve as part of Australia’s commitment to Commonwealth support for Malaysia during the Indonesian Confrontation.

January 11, 1965

RADM T. K. Morrison, CBE, DSC, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet.

December 24, 1964

LEUT K. Murray, RAN, of HMAS TEAL, (minesweeper), was awarded the DSC for conspicuous service in Malaysian waters, during the Indonesian-Malayan confrontation.

December 13, 1964

HMAS TEAL, (minesweeper), intercepted two Indonesian sampans off Borneo. The sampans opened fire, and TEAL retaliated, killing three of the crew. LEUT K. Murray, RAN, TEAL’s captain, was awarded the DSC for gallantry in the action. This was the only gallantry award to an RAN officer in the Indonesian-Malaysian confrontation.

December 11, 1964

Commonwealth Navy Order 614 extended the maximum retirement age for RAN personnel to 57 years.

November 27, 1964

The Minister for the Navy, Mr. F. C. Chaney, announced plans to establish the RAN’s submarine base at Neutral Bay, Sydney. The base was commissioned HMAS PLATYPUS.

November 2, 1964

The RAN Nursing Service, (RANNS), which had been disbanded in 1948, was re-formed. Initially 20 registered nurses were commissioned. The RANNS continued as a separate service until amalgamated with the RAN in June 1985.

August 31, 1964

USN nuclear-powered ships ENTERPRISE, LONGBEACH, and BAINBRIDGE, visited Australia.

August 30, 1964

HMAS Ibis and Teal replaced HMAS Gull and Hawk as a part of the Far East Strategic Reserve as part of Australia’s commitment to Commonwealth support for Malaysia during the Indonesian Confrontation.