By
LCDR Mick Gallagher
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The
stained glass window in the GI Chapel-Sydney commemorating
HMAS Yarra II.
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Photo:
LCDR Mick Gallagher
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A
remembrance service has been held at Sydney’s Garden Island (GI)
to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the loss of HMA Ships Perth
and Yarra in World War II.
“We remember those who served in HMAS Perth and HMAS Yarra and
laid down their lives in the service of Australia,” said Senior
Naval Chaplain Richard Thompson, who conducted the service.
Former shipmates, relatives and friends gathered in the historical
GI chapel known for its many stained glass windows commemorating
RAN Ships.
Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt, also attended
the service.
HMAS Perth I (1939-42) was a six-inch light cruiser. Whilst under
the command of CAPT Hector Macdonald Laws Waller, Perth was sunk
by the Japanese on February 29, 1942, in the Battle of the Sundra
Strait.
Only 218 from a total complement of 681 returned to Australia.
The eight-inch heavy cruiser USS Houston was also lost in the
battle.
On March 4, 1942, the sloop HMAS Yarra (1936- 42), commanded by
LCDR Robert William Rankin, was escorting a convoy off Java when
surprised by a Japanese flotilla of three eight-inch cruisers,
two destroyers and six aircraft.
Of Yarra’s ship’s company of 151, only 13 survived. Further information
on both ships can be found in the publications HMAS Perth by Alan
Payne 1978 and HMAS Yarra 1936-1942 by A.F. Parry.
Both are held by Mr Paul Martin of the Naval Historical Society
at GI-Sydney.
