- Author
- Swinden, Greg
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, History - WW1, WWI operations
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Australia I
- Publication
- September 2009 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Gill was a veteran of the 1900-01 Boxer Rebellion in China where he had served in the South Australian warship HMCS Protector (SA Navy) which was on loan to the RN. He later joined the Royal Navy but in 1914 transferred to the RAN. John Gill retired from the RAN in 1921 with the rank of Lieutenant and then served as a civilian Assistant Inspector of Naval Ordinance from 1922 until 1946.
The Loss of HMS Defence
The three Australians who lost their lives at the Battle of Jutland were all serving in the armoured cruiser HMS Defence which was part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron. At 1800 the Squadron, under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, spotted a group of German cruisers and turned to engage them, but a few minutes later German battle cruisers appeared through the haze and opened fire on the leading British ships (Defence and Warrior). Warrior was badly damaged, set on fire and had over 100 men killed or wounded but managed to limp away.
Defence was less fortunate. One eyewitness later wrote:
The Defence was heavily engaged, salvoes dropping all around her. At 1815 a salvo hit her abaft the after turret and a big red flame flashed up. The ship heeled, then quickly righted herself and steamed on. But almost immediately another salvo struck between the forecastle turret and the foremost funnel, and she was lost to sight in an enormous black cloud which, when it cleared, showed no signs of a ship at all. Defence was sunk with the loss of her entire crew of 903 men. Among those killed were Sub Lieutenant George Paterson, RAN (a 20 year old who had been born in England but had joined the RAN in March 1914) and 19 year old Midshipman Joseph Mack, RAN who hailed from Berry Bank, (near Lismore), Victoria. Both men had joined the RAN but were loaned to the RN for further training. Also killed in the sinking of HMS Defence was Stoker 2nd Class Mortimer Hugh Froude.
Froude, from Balmain, had joined the RAN on 1 June 1912 as a 14 year old Boy 2nd Class and received his initial training in HMAS Tingira before being posted to HMAS Australia. He was an Ordinary Seaman when he deserted from the RAN in June 1915, when Australia was in British waters. He tried to join the British Army but was rejected due to his height. Froude then joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker and was posted to the cruiser Defence. On 31 May 1916, when the smoke cleared Paterson, Mack and Froude had simply ceased to exist.
Notes:
1. Some authors have claimed that Flight Commander Frederick Rutland (later known as Rutland of Jutland) who flew a seaplane from HMS Engadine during the battle was born in Australia but no proof of this has been found.
2. The author would be interested to hear from readers who might know of other Australians who served at the Battle of Jutland. He can be contacted through the Society.