By
Rachel Irving
 |
| OFFICIAL:
HMAS Toowoomba’s Commissioning Ceremony in full
swing. |
| Photo:
LSPH Yuri Ramsey. |
|
HMAS
Toowoomba is the second RAN ship to bear the name of Queensland’s
largest inland city.
The first Toowoomba was commissioned on October 9, 1941,
one of 60 Bathurst Class minesweeping corvettes. The commissioning
of HMAS Toowoomba II took place just one day shy of the
64th anniversary of Toowoomba I’s commissioning.
She undertook escort duties off the Australian coast during WWII,
as well as duties with the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla in south
east Asia, the British Eastern Fleet through the Indian Ocean
and the Persian Gulf. It was here, and in the Bay of Bengal, as
well as between Australia and New Guinea, that Toowoomba
undertook anti-submarine and convoy work.
The ship served with distinction and is known for rescuing 42
survivors from the bombed merchant ship Merula in the final stages
of the Malaya fighting and for attacking a German submarine during
Persian Gulf convoy escort duty.
She, along with other Bathurst Class corvettes HMA Ships Burnie
and Ipswich, was paid off in Colombo on July 5, 1946 and
transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy, where Toowoomba
was re-named Boroe.
Toowoomba I’s Battle Honours will be carried by Toowoomba
II.
Related Story:
Gangway Toowoomba
