Newsletter

Navy Victoria Network January 2015 Volume 5 Edition 1

Calendar Events (see calendar for details of all events) NVN current membership: 974 Editorial    26 Jan – Day Hello and welcome to 2015! Although there will understandably 10 Feb – Anniversary of be considerable media focus in this, the second year of the Voyager/Melbourne collision. Centenary of Anzac commemorations, on the brave exploits and 23 Feb – NHS meeting. horrific losses of Australian & New Zealand soldiers in the ill- 28 Feb – Anniversary of battle of fated Gallipoli Campaign in WWI, it is important that we Sunda Strait. serving and ex-Navy personnel remind our colleagues from the 01 Mar – HMAS Perth National other Services, plus our friends, relatives and anybody else who Association Victorian Branch – Wreath will listen, that the RAN also played an important role in this Laying on the Forecourt. campaign. 21 Mar – Operation Slipper Welcome Home Parade 2015 – Wreath Laying In this regard, we are of course referring to the diversionary on the Forecourt. tactics of HMA Submarine AE2 in the Dardanelles prior to the troop landings at Gallipoli on the morning of 25 April 1915 and ANZAC Centenary Events the little-known but important logistical role played by the RAN For details of all Centenary events in Bridging Train (RANBT) on the beach-head throughout much of Victoria go to: http://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au/new the Gallipoli campaign and their eventual withdrawal after the s-events/events/ last Aussie troops quietly rowed out to the waiting transports ships on the morning of 20 December 1915. The story of these amazing exploits has been expertly and succinctly told in a truly Latest News    enthralling book titled “First in, last out, the Navy at Gallipoli” NOTE: The full articles of the news co-authored by T.R. Frame and G.J. Swinden (Kangaroo Press, items listed below can be found on 1990). our website: http://navyvic.net/news/news.html If you haven’t read this book, the NVN Team recommends that you try to get your hands on one at your local library as there Australia Day 2015 Honours List - would be no better or easier way to “boff-up” on this important The names of the 19 Royal Australian piece of RAN history prior to ‘onslaught’ of a mainly Army- Navy members who have been focussed narrative on Gallipoli in this centenary year. And for recognised in the Australia Day 2015 those readers who will be fortunate enough to be able to attend Honours List. (or participate in) the Anzac Day march in Melbourne this year, you’re in for a real treat as this “First in, last out” theme will be Unprecedented attack on disabled commemorated in WWI section of the Navy’s marching veterans’ pensions continues contingent. This plan was mentioned briefly in the NVN’s The New Year brings a continuation of August 2014 Newsletter and more details will be announced in the government’s unprecedented future Newsletters once the ‘order of march’ has been finalised. attack on the pensions and benefits of disabled veterans and war widows On the subject of really interesting stories that you may like to FM CN AUSTRALIA read about submarine exploits in WWI, the NVN Team also SUBJ: CHANGE OF TITLE - STEWARD recommends an article in the September 2014 edition of the CATEGORY “Naval Historical Review” by Ken Wright titled “Up the 1. IN 2012 THE WORKGROUP TITLES Dardanelles & Back”. This article covers the amazing story of 26 FOR ALL MARITIME LOGISTICS PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS AND year old Lieutenant Norman Holbrook RN who, after CATEGORIES WERE REVIEWED UNDER successfully taking his old British submarine B11 up the PROJECT DEMETER. AT THE TIME, THE Dardanelles to attack Turkish shipping off Cannakale on 13 TITLE OF STEWARD WAS RETAINED. December 1914, was later awarded a VC. The relevance of this Community Consultation about In- story to Australia is, of course, the subsequent re-naming of Person Service Delivery at the Tweed ‘Germanton’ in southern NSW as ‘Holbrook’ in August 1915. Heads and Geelong VAN Shopfronts Fascinating! From 21 January to 20 February 2015, DVA is undertaking community Note: If you aren’t already a member of the “Naval Historical consultation regarding the delivery of Society of Australia” (NHSA), you can easily join up @ $40 per in-person services at the standalone year (via email to: [email protected]) and receive Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) shopfronts at Tweed Heads in NSW quarterly editions of the really interesting “Naval Historical and Geelong in Victoria. Review” booklet. And this membership automatically grants you membership of Victoria’s own “Chapter” of the NHSA. To 100 years at Jervis Bay - College seeking descendants find out more about the Chapter’s meetings and their local The Royal Australian Navy has trained publication “The Three Headed Dog”, please contact it’s its own officers since 1913 with 2015 President, Rex Williams, via email to: [email protected] marking one hundred years since training commenced at Jervis Bay. Happy reading about the RAN’s proud heritage! Navy is looking for the descendants of the first three entry classes will be Yours Aye! invited to the events, but we need to NVN Team find out who you are!

Russia’s stealth ‘black hole’ submarine prepares for trials LWTR A. Hooley, PM4211, 22nd January 1915. Aged 91. A NEW Russian advanced stealth SURG CMDR Dr. J.S. Guest, AM, OBE, VRD, 20 January 2015. submarine, dubbed a “black hole” by Aged 98. NATO for its ability to be LCK J. Lyons, R55363, 14 January 2015. Aged 73. undetectable, has begun preparations LME A. Schultz, R54174, 14 January 2015. Aged 75. for deep water tests. However, it LSETS D. Oliver, 12 January 2015. Aged 46. must first make a 4,630km journey to the Barents Sea in Russia’s north. LEUT SL J.W. Sticpewich RAN Rtd., 06 January 2015. Aged 80.

LCDR M. Coleman, 31 December 2014. Aged 52. CDRE W.A. Kemp RAN, Rtd., 26 December 2014. LSCK P. Byden, R62618, 26 December 2014. Aged 68. LEMWE B. Godfrey, 20 December 2014. Aged 72. CPORS R.J. Pennell, R94289, 19 December 2014. Aged 67. LEUT SDSU A.J. Booth, 8061993, 18 December 2014. Aged 57. Rehabilitation Appliances Program LS F. Pullen, S4636, 8th December 2014. Aged 95. (RAP) Coxswain R. Paton, PM5583, 3rd December 2014. Aged 90. Eligibility If you are a Gold or White Card holder Lest We Forget (with assessed need due to an accepted disability), you can access Members: When you hear of any of our Navy family that has crossed aids or appliances to help you maintain independence in your home the bar, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We would like to list their through the Rehabilitation Appliances names in perpetuity on our special ‘Vale’ page on the website. If Program (RAP). Aids or appliances possible list their Rank, Name, Number, Age and their date of passing. prescribed through the programme Thank you can include:

ADF Gap Year is back Today marks the return of the ADF Gap Year program, with hundreds of eager young Australians getting their Keep up to date with our own Smartphone / first experience of life in the ADF. Tablet App. Go to our website to view the brochure which explains how to download and Japanese sub offer ‘welcomed’ Marine press clippings 8 Jan 2015 install the NVN App to your phone / tablet. CHINA, Australia and possibly Thailand are planning to increase, replace or incorporate modern submarines to their fleets according to 2016 Reunions reports Waller Division [15 January 1966] 50th Anniversary Reunion Department shift opens door to Expressions of interest are requested from all members who hundreds of claims by veterans joined the RAN on 15 January 66 (WALLER Division) for a 50th (Article in The Australian 7/1/2015) Anniversary Reunion in January 2016. Please e-mail your interest Hundreds of military veterans denied compensation for injury or illness to: [email protected] could take legal action

Moran Division [28 November 1964] Wreck of HMAS WARNAMBOOL Looking for SAILORS who joined up on 28th November 1964. (article from ex-WORRS Terry Gleeson) These illustrious souls were known as the "MORAN ROAD I would like to share with shipmates a memorable experience for me that RUNNERS DIVISION". Max Binding is looking for starters for a was a focal point of a recent cruise I 52nd year reunion in BERRI South Australia. Contact Max on: undertook to Cape York. [email protected] (Vic Div) For full details of these and other reunions, go to our Reunions January newsletter...... page http://navyvic.net/reunions/reunions.html NAVY NEWS – The latest edition.

Should you wish to advertise your reunions, please don’t hesitate Don’t forget to visit the website, to contact the webmaster at: [email protected] there is a lot more information and many more news articles that are not included in this newsletter. NCCV’s “Rogues’ Yarn” attached below Volume 5 Issue 1 Newsletter date January 2015 Naval Commemoration Committee of Victoria

The First OIC Signal School

William David Hunter was born in Roxburgh, King George V and Victory. MUST DO!! Richmond, Melbourne, 1DEC1987. William returned to Australia in April Services at the Shrine William joined the Royal Navy as a 1919, promoted to Lieutenant on post- of Remembrance Member of the Australian Naval Forc- ing back to Cerberus. Hunter became [Everyone welcome] es, he was 16 years old. He enlisted on the first OIC - Signals School, at the 30July1904 as ‘Boy 2nd Class’. He new Flinders Naval Depot, which in- HMAS VOYAGER signed on in April 1907 for another 5 cluded the Wireless Station that linked, 10FEB15@1000 years, as a ‘qualified signalman’. On for the first time, the Australian Com- Sanctuary 19DEC 1911, whilst serving in HMS monwealth Naval Board and - Psyche he re-engaged for another 7 ty in London. Posted back to the UK Recruit School years as a ‘Yeoman of Signals’. Having in DEC 1921 until 1924 where he Taylor Division served 7 years, his service was finally served in HMS Pembroke, Victory, 15FEB15@1000 designated as being in the RAN. He President, and Defiance. He completed Sanctuary was attached to the London Depot for a staff course at Royal Naval College the first part of 1913, then as Signals and a diving course whilst there. On HMAS PERTH Boatswain joined HMAS Australia , return to Australia, William served in 01MAR15@1400 Flagship of the newly formed RAN. In HMAS Platypus, Marguerite, Mallow Cenotaph early 1914, William was attached to and Penguin - designated for ‘ships in HMAS Cerberus, then at Williamstown reserve’. He was promoted LCDR in for duty with the Naval Reserves. In July 1927 and was temporarily ap- Next NCCV meeting AUG 1914, now confirmed as a pointed to Command Ships in Reserve. 10FEB15@1030 ‘Warrant Officer’ he joined HMAS A short stint at HMAS Brisbane fol- ‘Peacekeeping Pod’, Berrima. Berrima was transporting the lowed in mid 1929 then he was trans- go to Galleries of Australian Naval & Military Expedition ferred to HMAS Penguin , where he Remembrance, Shrine Forces bound for German New Guinea finished his naval career. On JUL 1931 of Remembrance. where they were engaged in the Battle William Hunter was Retired on Half of Bita Paka, the first action of WWI. Pay and transferred to the Emergency All Ship/Unit/Branch Signal Boatswain Hunter commanded Associations are List. At this time, he and his wife Eli- the rear guard on the Kabakaul-Bita- encouraged to be nor were living in Woolahara, but un- Paka Road. He carried a Union Jack represented! fortunately ill health meant he did not and the flag was raised at Herbertshohe enjoy a long retirement . He passed on that day, 11SEP 1914 by a party away on 5AUG 1934 and was buried from the AN&MEF. This occurred two in Rookwood Cemetery. days before the Official flag raising Today, the grave of LCDR William ceremony at Rabual. A piece of Hunter is found in a neglected corner William’s flag is in the Australian War of the Cemetery. The Communicators Memorial, Canberra. Hunter remained Association has taken it upon them- in New Guinea until February 1915. selves to look after the grave of a long On return from New Guinea, William serving Signals professional that set joined HMAS Cerberus and remained the high standard known by all Com- there until mid 1916, when he was municators today. Article provided posted to the UK. On arrival in the UK by Rod Withers, written by Allan he joined HMS Repulse, later serving in Moffatt OAM Pres-RANCBA NSW.

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P a g e 2 President’s Report Hopefully you, your family and friends early this year to see if the determination Disclaimer made a couple of years ago remain rele- Articles contributed are have commenced 2015 safely, coupled the Author’s thoughts with enthusiasm. Don’t forget that today vant to today’s situation. It would be only. An article may is the start of the rest of your life! We also surprising if anything has changed, other be edited to meet the need to be fair dinkum about attending the than a continued decline. Notwithstand- space available. ing this decline, there is evidence that Naval ANZAC Commemoration Ball Navy Victoria scheduled for Saturday, 17th October. The descendants have the capacity to keep Network organising committee is eager to receive alive the legacy of yesteryear. The NavyVIC website your early advice regarding table numbers, The comment elsewhere in this edition is a service to the entire Navy Community. see our reminder article within this edition relating to the AMC/LSI Association The purpose is to share about the Ball. This will prove to be a demonstrates the success of a few who information and where major event this year and warrants our have the energy and enthusiasm to have a possible avoid a clash support. As we steam into 2015 we need go. Last year several key events were with other activities to take account of our various commit- held to remind us of actions taken a cen- scheduled by others in the Navy Community. ments. The Flagship Events organised by tury ago. It will be incumbent upon us Log on to the NCCV should be high on your own list to keep in mind these specific occasions http://navyvic.net as they represent Navy wide legacies. We as they will again be scheduled this year, keep watch on our front page, NVN and Melbourne Naval are persistent with our encouragement of Centre these Flagship Events as they represent a also the Shrine of Remembrance/ Re- MNC is an organiza- global effort by many of our forebears. membrance/Ceremonies website . Time tion that has provided Whilst we are proud of our experience in to work on the family to get one or two much needed funds to the Navy, we must not forget or allow the involved in some small way so they may Ship Associations over become interested in making a more sub- many decades. In need service of those that went before us to be of financial support, diminished through inaction. The NCCV stantial contribution in future years. contact the MNC. is to look at the issue of membership again Good luck with that, yours aye, Terry Makings Creswell Oration Apprentices’ Story The 15th Annual Creswell Oration is scheduled for A book, HMAS Nirimba - The Apprentices’ is Monday, 2nd March 2015. The Creswell Oration will being compiled by Dick Roebuck - Editor, Brian be delivered by Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer CSC Carney - Photos & Graphics, Sandy Freeleagus - RAN, Fleet Commander. Whilst the oration will re- Artist and Caricaturist. They seek contributions: mind us of the extensive work of RADM Creswell, it 1. that are interesting and relate to an event that will also be an opportunity to hear what the current occurred whilst you were at Nirimba, Fleet Commander deems to be crucial to the appropri- 2. format with single line spacing, Times New Ro- ate management of our ships at sea today, titled ’old man or Palatino Linotype in 12 point, wine in new wine bottles’. The Venue will be the 3. limit to about 1000 words, include a picture or William Angliss Restaurant, 550 Lt Lonsdale Street, photograph if possible, usually plenty of 2 hour on-street parking. At $40 per 4. draft an intro, body and conclusion so your arti- person, this will be a reasonably priced lunch where cle is stand alone, easily inserted in the book. you can rub shoulders with old and not so old ship ma- 5. please write in the ‘past tense’ if possible as this tes. Please contact one of the following: facilitates continuity and reduces editing. Navy League; Ray: telephone 9844 6237 or email: 6. spell check your work and double check the [email protected] or John: telephone 9842 spelling of the names of individuals and places, 4256 or email [email protected] 7. no offensive language should be included, Naval Association; Harry: telephone 5977 5967 or 8, for legal reasons, no defamatory articles please, email [email protected] 9. ideally articles need to be with the Editor on or th Naval Officers Club: John: telephone 5983 2416 or before Friday 7 August 2015, and email [email protected] 10. articles, with photos or illustrations should be sent to: The Editor, HMAS Nirimba – The Ap- Naval Historical Society; Rex: telephone 9850 8497 prentices’ Story, PO Box 321, ORBOST VIC or email [email protected]. 3888. For information email Dick Roebuck at: Information at Navy Victoria Network, see below. [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: http://navyvic.net/ P a g e 3 WWII - The First RAN Prisoner Of War

The official publication of the Australian War Me- With this premise in mind, the Author wrote that AB morial, “ Australia in the War of 1939 to 1945”, Vol Gunner Jack Andrew Daly S2572 was on the MS 4, chapter 7, under Prisoners of War, states: ‘The Tairoa when it was sunk by the Graf Spee on 3DEC first men of the RAN to be taken prisoners were 1939. He was taken aboard the Graf Spee as a POW Petty Officer H. Jones, Able Seamen W.J. Hurren and later transferred from the Graf Spee to the German and H.C. Sweeny from HMAS Hobart, on 9AUG supply ship Altmark, which was on route to Germany. 1940 etc’. In the same set of books at NAVY Vol 1, Graf Spee then headed for Montevideo, where she was p83, it informs us about merchant vessels sunk by eventually scuttled. The Altmark was ultimately the Graf Spee. Some of these vessels were Defen- caught in neutral Norwegian waters and boarded by the sively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS). Guns in crew of HMS Cossack. Over 300 prisoners were re- the DEMS were manned by RANR sailors, those leased, including Jack Daly. Armed with this infor- captured subsequent to being sunk by the Admiral mation, the Author wrote to the P.O.W. Memorial Graf Spee were in fact the first Australian naval per- Trustees in Ballarat, hoping for some information on sonnel to become WWII RAN Prisoners Of War. Gunner Jack Andrew Daly S2572. According to the Trustees at Ballarat, Daly was not an RAN Prisoner of The German Pocket Battleship: War, but a merchant seaman. The Author explained Admiral Graf Spee that DEMS gunners were always listed as supernumer- ary deck hands. This brought them under the authori- ty of the Master of the ship, and averted problems with Service personnel entering neutral ports. The Author also obtained Jack Daly’s RAN War Service records, available on line. The Ballarat Trustees duly passed this information to Australian War Memorial, Canber- ra and they concurred. The outcome being that some 75 years and 2 days after the event, AB Jack Andrew Daly was officially acknowledged as an RANR Prison- er of War . Thank you Lee H Molesworth, Convenor of the DEMS Association, Author of this article.

The Constitution HMAS VOYAGER

What does the constitution look like in your organi- A Service will be held in sation. Reinvention is sometimes necessary to kick the Sanctuary, Shrine of start a revival for any organisation. As we and our Remembrance, at 1000 on respective organisations mature there is a desperate Tuesday 10FEB to com- need to reinvent so that old ideas and practices are memorate the loss of assessed/tested. This assessment may provide an HMAS Voyager II (DO4) opportunity to bring a broader audience within your in 1964. Voyager II → sphere of activity. To be more precise, you should was lost on the evening of 10FEB64, when Voyager review your constitution, those statutes under pin- steamed across the bow of HMAS Melbourne. A ning the governance and wellbeing of your organisa- collision occurred resulting in the loss of 82 crew tion. Many ex-service associations are structured to members. The service will also reflect on the exploits confine their membership to servicemen and women of Voyager I in World War II as part of the Scrap Iron returned from active service (more commonly re- Flotilla (first deployment of Australian military re- ferred to as war like). If we want to take in the wider sources to the war effort). Voyager I made a signifi- brethren, we must give consideration to others with a cant contribution in the Mediterranean and then keen interest in Navy. Organisational objectives northern Australia. also need to be revisited. Your focus should be Voyager I was lost contemporary and be deliverable. Much is written when it ran aground around kinship, it is incumbent on office bearers to at whilst disembarking the very least make sure they understand their re- troops at Betano Bay spective constitutions and validate their relevance in in SEP42. Thankfully today’s environment. If you need advice in relation no crew members to our suggestion, then make contact with NCCV. HMAS Voyager off Crete 1940 were lost at that time.

Email: [email protected] Website: http://navyvic.net/ P a g e 4

ANZAC Centenary DIRECTORY for NCCV Several key ANZAC Centenary activities are scheduled for 2015 that warrant your consid- PATRON: CDRE Jim Dickson AM MBE RAN Rtd eration. Firstly, ANZAC Day (25APR15) will be a major activity and all service, ex- PRESIDENT: Terry Makings service men and women should participate. Telephone: 03 9429 9489 [leave a message] The normal array of Ship Associations will be M: 0411 135 163 present. Surely there will be a Ship Banner VICE PRESIDENT: Marty Grogan OAM to suit your aspirations, if not - the Naval As- sociation of Australia Banner will be there and Telephone: 0417 377 763 any one who can’t find a banner and smiling Jnr V/PRESIDENT: Pete Johnston face should march behind the NAA banner. Telephone: 0419 104 473 The second imperative activity will be the loss SECRETARY: Chris Banfield of HMAS AE2 (30APR15) - this is being organised at the Shrine of Remembrance. Telephone: 0412 832 148 The third activity is 101st anniversary of the TREASURER: Jan Gallagher Battle of Bita Paka, again at the Shrine of Re- Telephone: 03 9786 5371 membrance. Forth activity underpinning the PR Officer: Chris Banfield ANZAC Centenary will be the ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball. This will be a major Editor: Terry Makings event for Navy during 2015 and warrants the All correspondence to the email address please, support of the Navy Community. It will also [email protected] be the opening event for Navy Week, Victoria or if postal mail is essential, The Secretary at: with Open Day at HMAS Cerberus on the fol- lowing weekend, Sunday 25th October. We 316 Nicholson Street, East Fitzroy VIC 3065 may even have a Warship in town. Website: http://navyvic.net Items of special interest

HMAS Goorangai. ANZAC Centenary has Training Ship Barwon. TS Barwon is arranging caused a great deal of interest in all things military the ‘TS BARWON Biggest Reunion Ever’. Any and as a consequence there are incidental stories past members of TS Barwon are encouraged to relating to Navy coming forward, from all different look at the facebook page relevant to the reunion theatres of war. Recently a Ms Dianne de Munk and make a decision if you wish to participate. visited the Queenscliffe Historial Museum and de- Association Annual Lunch. livered a photograph of a Goorangai crew member, The time is nearing when those who have served Frank Hack. Dianne’s mother, Phyllis Rosemany in destroyers, or wish they had, need to assemble Bracher as a young woman was very friendly with at the William Angliss Restaurant for the purpose Frank and he gave Phyllis an RAN insignia ring. of joining forces with other destroyer men/women. Dianne passed the photograph of Frank and the ring Something for the diary now: 1200 for 1230 on to the museum for safekeeping and for all to see. Friday, 27MAR15 at William Angliss Restaurant, HMAS BATAAN. The HMAS Bataan Veterans Lt Lonsdale Street. Again only $35 per person Association of Australian continues to be a force with a delightful speaker to maintain the interest. within the network of ship associations. This is Email: [email protected] demonstrated by their regular schedule of social Naval Association of Australia. Have you con- events and determination surrounding annual reun- sidered the benefit of joining your most conven- ions. They are again organising a get together at ient NAA sub-branch? Maybe the popular e- Coolangatta, Queensland. They consistently invite branch suits you more. Have a look and consider. new members and any ex-Navy who has an interest The NAA Dandenong Sub-Branch is very active in building on their own Navy experience. and have a monthly and mid-monthy luncheon. John Laughton is the contact, his postal address is: Again this is underpinned by John Laughton and 90/2 Cameron Street, Cranbourne East Vic 3077, or his team, see email address under HMAS Bataan. email [email protected] for advice. General website at: http://www.navalassoc.org.au

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