Association hand banner over to Waterhen for protection
Scrap Iron vets opt for safety

The Scrap Iron Flotilla banner, which is used during Anzac Day services, is folded for safe-keeping at HMAS Waterhen. Photos: ABPH Nina Nikolin

HMAS Waterhen sank in 1941 after she was dive bombed by German Stukas on the Tobruk ferry run.

Last week’s history page incorrectly featured a photo of HMAS Australia I. It should have been Australia II, seen here off the Solomon Islands in 1942.

By Graham Davis

Those who served in the Scrap Iron Flotilla, HMA Ships Waterhen, Stuart, Vendetta, Voyager and Vampire in World War II, are ageing and their numbers dwindling.

There may be just two-dozen alive around Australia.

Those who can make it proudly march behind the Scrap Iron Flotilla Association banner in Sydney each Anzac Day. They have been doing so for decades.

Now Gordon Steele, the association’s president and his executive are concerned about the “fate” of the blue satin banner once the final veterans can no longer step out behind it.

On Wednesday, June 30, their concerns were put to rest when in an impressive and sombre service on the Quarterdeck of HMAS Waterhen, the banner was formally presented for safekeeping to Waterhen’s commanding officer, CMDR Steve Reid.

It is expected the banner will be displayed behind glass in a prominent place on the base for 364 days of the year.

On the 365th day, April 25, it will be taken down, its support poles put in place and the banner paraded proudly through the streets of Sydney.

June 30, 2004 was selected as the day for handing over the banner.

It was the day the first outdoor service marking the anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Waterhen by German and Italian dive bombers 63 years earlier, had been conducted.

Until now the anniversary was remembered with a dinner.

Waterhen was doing a “ferry run” to Tobruk when she was hit by bombs and later sank without loss of life. More than 80 officers and sailors from HMAS Waterhen and her lodger units turned out for the June 30 service.

They were joined by the Sydney detachment of the RAN Band and eight members of the Scrap Iron Flotilla Association, Gordon Steele (pres), Ken Ward (sect), Gordon Beattie, Harry Miller, Jack Bennett, Len Moller, Ken Turvey and Ted Clifford.

Ted Clifford was onboard Waterhen when she was hit. Members of the public also attended. During the service, prayers and readings were done by CHAP Chris Aulich, LCDR Brad Vizard, LSPT Mathew Hilyard and WOUC John Lee.

The principal address was delivered by CMDR Reid. At one point a “banner party” marched on to the Quarterdeck carrying the brightly hued banner.

As the service neared the end the sailors folded the banner and handed it to Mr Steele who formally passed it to CMDR Reid.

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Waterhen’s proud past

HMAS Waterhen was built originally for the Royal Navy in 1918 .

The 1470-tonne “Whiskey” Class destroyer was transferred to Australia in 1933 along with three sister ships Vampire, Vendetta and Voyager.

In 1941, Waterhen became famous for her part in the re-supply of besieged Tobruk as a member of the famed Scrap Iron Flotilla.

On June 29, 1941 while doing the “Tobruk ferry run” she was bombed by Stukas off Sollum. She sank on June 30 without casualties.

 

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