By LCDR Mick Gallagher

A remembrance service was held earlier this year at Sydney’s Garden Island to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the loss of HMA Ships Perth and Yarra in WWII.

Former shipmates, relatives and friends gathered in the historical chapel known for its many stained glass windows commemorating RAN Ships.

HMAS Perth 1 (1939-42) was a 6-inch light cruiser.

Whilst under command of CAPT Hector Macdonald Laws Waller, Perth was sunk by the Japanese on March 1, 1942.

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 8-inch cruisers, two destroyers and six aircraft.

Of Yarra’s ship’s company of 151, only 13 survived.

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