HMAS Melbourne (ll)

HMAS Melbourne was originally one of six Majestic Class light fleet aircraft carriers ordered for the Royal Navy during World War II. Laid down for the Royal Navy as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943 and launched in 1945, the ship was nearing completion when construction was virtually brought to a halt with the cessation of wartime hostilities.

On 3 June 1947 the Commonwealth Government approved the acquisition of two aircraft carriers for the RAN. It was decided that two of the Majestic Class, HM Ships Terrible and Majestic, would be taken over by the RAN and named Sydney and Melbourne respectively.

Post-war technological developments were included in the final updating of Majestic and on 28 October 1955, the ship was officially named and commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Melbourne.