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Perth
1 remembered
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LSBM
Livermore does a special reading in memory of AB King, a
relative, who survived the sinking only to die of starvation
on the infamous Burma Railway.
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Members
of Adelaide’s ship’s company assembled in prayer
for those lost in Perth I .
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The
ship’s company of HMAS Adelaide (CMDR David Johnston), now
involved in Stardex 02, took time out during its transit north to
remember those who lost their lives when HMAS Perth 1 was sunk by
the Japanese in the Sunda Strait on March 1, 1942.
A memorial service was conducted on the FFG at the spot where Perth
1 went down.
There was special significance for LSBM “Reg” Livermore.
One of his relatives, AB Shipwright Ernest Fredrick King, survived
the sinking but died from starvation while working on the Burma
Railway.
LSBM Livermore delivered a special reading to commemorate the life
of AB King.
The service ended with a minute’s silence.
Perth 1 was a light cruiser and with the cruiser USS Houston was
moving across the Sunda Strait when both came under attack from
a large number of Japanese warships.
The Japanese warships were escorting an invasion convoy of about
50 vessels.
The Allied ships engaged the enemy and tried to force a pass from
the strait to open water.
Outnumbered, they were hit by gunfire and torpedoes.
When Perth sank she took 353 of her 681 ship’s company, including
her CO, CAPT Hec Waller, with her.
A total of 328 survived and became prisoners of war.
Only 218 came home.
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