ISSUE 124 LCDR Stoker – An Example of Leadership An Expedition in Regime Change: Australia’s party to the Ralliement of New Caledonia during World War II Those They Left Behind The Forgotten Naval Men of Sydney Port Ash Update JOURNAL OF THE 3 President’s Message Contents irst, a number of thanks. First, day conference in Canberra - I will be to our Friends and Sponsors. asking Eric to speak at ANI events on LCDR Stoker Their support is helping the future of the Royal Navy, a subject - An Example of Leadership 4 Frestore the ANI to a sound financial of considerable concern in the UK. footing. Next, as the President, to the We are looking at our programme An Expedition in Regime Change: Front page Councillors. I mention the efforts for 2007 seminars. I hope to organise Australia’s Party to the Raillement of photograph: of Geoff Lawes, whose work on the one on maritime surveillance and New Caledonia during WWII 8 website has been terrific, and Josh response, and one on naval warfare HMAS Sirius departs Watkin and Robert Wright, all of - I hope in conjunction with other HMAS Stirling’s whom have completed ADFA time organisations such as the Naval Those They Left Behind 17 Diamantina Wharf and returned to sea. Lastly thanks to Warfare Officers’ Association. Booz for her Freedom Of our office manager, Jean Davitt, who Allen Hamilton and the Australian Entry Ceremony on LCDR Frederick Ross, OAM RAN provides excellent value for money in National Centre for Ocean Resources Norfolk Island Feb 07 A life of distinguished Naval Service 20 her ANI services. and Security have indicated in principle 2006 was a good year. We held a their readiness to support a new number of successful social events, cycle of the Maritime Advancement Ancors Aweigh ADFA breakfasts and seminars. Australia Award. We will advertise this - A revitalised maritime research centre Headmark went from strength to later in the year and seek applications, commences operation 22 strength – the ANI owes Peter Jones, announcing the winner at Pacific 2008. the former chair, and all involved with With the approval of Council, I have the Journal’s renewal a very great deal. invited Mike Carlton, journalist and Australia’s Secret War Chapter II 25 We have a good long term model. radio personality and well known friend Our Vernon Parker Orator was of the Navy, to give the 2007 Vernon 2007 ‘King Hall’ Naval History AUSTAL’s John Rothwell. His speech Parker Oration. I hope for this event, Conference 29 and the following dinner were a great and the ANI annual dinner which success. Chris Skinner, our Maritime follows it, to be held in Canberra in Advancement Australia Award winner August. Port Ash Update 30 for 2006-07, continues his study of the What lies ahead for the long Collins class submarine project. We term? We will continue to expand ADM Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, expect him to provide a presentation at membership, and build up resources, AC, KBE, CB, DSC, RAN 33 the Seapower 2008 conference. while expanding activities. I aim first to We have a number of events in train. reach a financial strength so we can pay The ANI will be closely associated a skilled, enthusiastic person to be our Visions from the Vault 43 with the July King-Hall Naval History events coordinator and general ‘make Conference, sponsoring the air travel things happen’ person, and second to Book Reviews 44 of Dr Eric Grove from the UK. Eric, keep up the pressure on like-minded well known to many of you, is always organisations to seek opportunities to good value. In addition to the single day work together and achieve critical mass. Style Notes for Contributors 47 conference in Sydney at the Maritime Museum - the ANI will assist with JAMES GOLDRICK sponsoring the reception and the two Winter 2007 ANI Events Program 48 Issue Number 124 ANI Online Guide 49 SPONSORS: JACOBS AUSTRALIA Printed by Everbest ATI KBR Printing Company AUSTAL LOPAC Australian Naval Institute Info 50 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE CREDIT UNION P & O ISSN 1833-6531 BOOZ ALLEN & HAMILTON FRIEND RAYTHEON AUSTRALIA ANI Membership Application Form 51 EDS SAAB Design & DTP: Diane Bricknell [email protected] Journal of the Australian Naval Institute 4 LCDR Stoker – An Example of Leadership by LIEUTENANT D.A. Holland Leadership and heroism are not AE2 arriving at Portsmouth 17 Feb 1914 the same, but we have much (Courtesy Jeff Knaggs) to learn about the latter in understanding the process of leadership. General S.L.A. Marshall 1 he story of the first landings at Gallipoli by the 1st AIF on 25 AprilT 1915 has earned a rightful place in Australia’s 20th century military history. English and Australian ratings and an when he successfully brought the AE2 Yet the achievements of the fledgling engaging and flamboyant personality in 13,000 miles to Australia including 9,000 Royal Australian Navy, and in particular her 28 year old Commanding Officer. miles under its own power.10 the exploits of the submarine AE2 on Lieutenant Commander Stoker.7 AE2’s first war time mission assisting that day, are less well known.2This is Stoker may have been lowest in the occupation of German New Guinea extraordinary since AE2 accomplished seniority of the six officers appointed was marred by the mysterious and one of the most daring submarine feats to captain the E class submarines at the tragic loss of AE1 off the Duke of York of the war, becoming the first allied time, but his leadership capabilities and Islands on 14 September 191411leaving vessel to penetrate the treacherous confident personality quickly won him a devastated crew of the AE2 to return Dardanelles Strait. respect from among his colleagues and alone to Australia.12Stoker’s personal This oversight can be partly crew.8 grief inevitably gave way to frustration explained by World War One censorship Stoker, an Irishman, was intensely as the months wore on and he sought and the view at the time that AE2’s proud of commanding an Australian to have the AE2 assist the Royal Navy in achievement was a minor part of submarine. An excellent writer, actor Europe.13 the overall naval effort.3The lack of and games player, he was popular In January 1915 AE2 served as the recognition for AE2’s heroic exploits everywhere: C.G. Brodie (Commander sole escort for a convoy of 17 transport continues with many contemporary of the E15 – author’s note) spoke for ships taking the second detachment Australian war historians choosing to the staff when he said that he was ‘the of AIF troops to the Middle East. The deal with later 20th century conflicts and very pattern of a forlorn hope leader. AE2 only reached the Mediterranean their influence on our national identity.4 Richard Compton-Hall9 before it was diverted to the Dardanelles This essay does not aim to fill in those campaign.14 gaps nor is it meant to be a biography of Stoker’s credentials as a submarine Stoker received orders to force a Henry Dacre Gordon Stoker who, by any commander -- previously commanded passage through the straits into the account, led had an extraordinary and E7 at Gibraltar -- were further enhanced Sea of Marmara and there try to block colourful life5: Rather, this essay looks at enemy traffic between the Bosphorus some of the events, circumstances and and the Dardanelles.15 It was extremely personality traits that defined Stoker’s dangerous. The 35 mile long Dardanelles capabilities as a leader. Strait was considered impenetrable because of its strong currents, narrow ORDERS ARE TO ‘RUN AMOK’ passages, strong fortification and density –THE INFLUENCE OF GOOD of mines targeting surface shipping. LEADERSHIP Despite the loss of several Allied Stoker was fortunate he commanded a vessels from the Turkish defences, new class of submarine. TheAE2 and its Stoker was determined that the AE2 sister vessel the AE1 were British built should be the first submarine of the E Class submarines, one of the most British Empire to successfully penetrate advanced class of submarine afloat at AE2 crew when Prisoners of War 22 Dec 1915 the Dardanelles. AE2 crewmember 6 the time. AE2 had a combined crew of (Courtesy John Skelton) Charles Suckling noted: Journal of the Australian Naval Institute Issue 124 5 AE2 crew – Stoker probably front centre (courtesy Peter Stoker) Ship’s Company OFFICERS Lieutenant-Commander Henry Hugh Gordon Dacre Stoker DSO. RN Lieutenant Geoffrey Arthur Gordon Haggard DSC. RN Lieutenant John Pitt Cary [MID] RN The difficulty of navigating a leadership capabilities that his crew was RATINGS submarine while submerged, through able to share in his confidence. Charles Chief Petty Officer Harold Abbott DSM. RN No. 8268 a straight whose narrow passages and Suckling explained: strong currents made it a difficult Our Captain then told us that he Chief Petty Officer Charles Vaughan (MID) RAN task even in a surface ship. Leut. honestly believed it possible to get Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class Harry Burton Broomhead DSM. RN No. X278 Commander H G Stoker, the Captain through but if any man wished to leave Chief Stoker Charles Varcoe RN No. 8275 of A.E.2 was the only officer present the boat he was at liberty to do so, who thought the feat possible…It was not one man asked to be relieved….. Petty Officer Cecil Arthur Bray RAN No. 7296 a difficult business trying to persuade I would like to state now that Leut. Petty Officer Stephen John Gilbert RAN No. 8053 the Admiral or any of his Staff that it Com.