The Cat s Tales. President s Message Brett Piraner Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section.

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1 February 2016 The Cat s Tales Newsletter of Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section President s Message Brett Piraner pres@naa-brisbane.org.au Andrew Black Vice President no1@naa-brisbane.org.au Welcome aboard for the 2016 cruise of the Brisbane Sub-Section. The 2015 cruise was a bit of a rough one with postings mid voyage resulting in a change in executive and with that a steep learning curve for all concerned. A few things have been identified as needing work and apologies to you the crew from the executive for a below average performance, but rest assured things will improve. So what will 2016 bring? Firstly, more social events at Mess 41. The Christmas party with the submariners was well attended and they are keen to interact again in The Adopt an Old Salt will be relaunched to the fleet as well as NRC units and we will look at other opportunities to get us all out and about. The Navy Riders has a new skipper in Brett Ingram and the Crew is still alive under Shane Cox's leadership. On a sad note Norm Isdale is currently in Greenslopes, so if you are in the area drop in and say, G day, to him. Sean Kenny Secretary sec@naa-brisbane.org.au Alan Cox Treasurer pusser@naa-brisbane.org.au Steve Grice Vice President 2 Brett Ingram Vice President 3 Les Waterman Mess Manager

One initiative this year is to establish a buddy system where a younger member buddies up with a senior rating, and from this I hope our motto can be realised Once Navy, Always Navy.

2 President s message continued Norm is one of our senior ratings. We are quite lucky, currently we have 10 members in their 70s, another 9 in their 80s and an amazing 6 in their 90s with Nev Lyall and Gordon Hill, both 96 years young. One initiative this year is to establish a buddy system where a younger member buddies up with a senior rating, and from this I hope our motto can be realised Once Navy, Always Navy. I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM and BBQ in February until then, fair seas. Yours aye Brett Piraner President AGM Notice The Brisbane Sub-Section s AGM will be held at, 175 Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights on Sunday 28 February, arrival from 10:30 for a 11:00 start. A BBQ will be held following the official events. The Exec Committee would love to see as many members as possible attend. If you have difficulties with transport and are aged 65+ or have a DVA Gold Card, please contact Alan Cox or Sean Kenny and they will come back to you with available options. NAA membership renewals Membership renewals were due by 31 December If you haven t yet paid your subs or are having difficulties with payment, please contact Alan Cox. You can pay your membership fee by: cheque to: Naval Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section Inc PO Box 120 ASPLEY QLD 4034 or EFT (internet banking) to: Account name: NAA Brisbane Sub-Section BSB: Account: Reference: Your Name NAA fee 2

When Chamberlain declared war on Hitler s Germany on 3 rd September the following year, Menzies, Australia s PM immediately followed suit.

3 Please meet Gordon Hill At 96, Gordon is our oldest member; this is his story. At Sea and Ashore I joined the navy in 1938 when I was 19. I was renouncing accountancy, anticipating a naval career following in my father s footsteps. My first ship was the destroyer HMAS Vendetta. When Chamberlain declared war on Hitler s Germany on 3 rd September the following year, Menzies, Australia s PM immediately followed suit. Vendetta was sent to apprehend a German merchant ship, the Lahn, which had slipped out of Sydney a few days before war was declared. At 30 knots in a rough sea, the helmsman asked me to take over. Training at Flinders had not included reading a gyro repeater compass let alone how to steer a ship reading one. In short time, concerned Vendetta I at our dog-leg wake, a voicepipe message from the bridge asked, Who s on the wheel? When I replied, Supply Assistant Hill, sir, I heard a cry of anguish and a call Bosun, get that man off the wheel. So ended my adventure of steering a ship. Three months later, the five V and W destroyer flotilla of the Australian navy was part of Sir Andrew Cunningham s Eastern Mediterranean fleet, proudly escorting battleships and aircraft carriers. We were based in Malta, sailing with the French and British fleets, visiting Alexandria, Port Said and other places. It was the period of the Phony War. Vendetta was to join a convoy escort of transports from England to Palestine, so we visited Marseilles for recreation and rest. It was my 21 st birthday. My messmates decided to give me a surprise birthday present a visit to a brothel. However, the girls thought I was too young and called me un petit garçon. I thought they were saying, a pretty boy but I learned later much to my chagrin that it meant a little boy. Next time we visited Marseilles it was to evacuate British troops and dodge German bombers. Gordon s 21st birthday 3

Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section February 2016 Vendetta was in dry-dock in Valetta harbour on 10th June 1940 when Italy joined Germany and began bombing Malta.

With our ship in dry-dock and a hundred men to disperse, half of our crew went to air defence units and the remainder took our hammocks into a fleainfested tunnel and worked on the ship between

303 rifle and my mate Mick had a.45 revolver.

After a few days in port, Vendetta joined Waterhen, Voyager, Stuart, and Vampire on the Spud Run to Tobruk, taking provisions in and wounded out between dive-bombing attacks.

4 Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section February 2016 Vendetta was in dry-dock in Valetta harbour on 10th June 1940 when Italy joined Germany and began bombing Malta. There were eight air-raids that day. With our ship in dry-dock and a hundred men to disperse, half of our crew went to air defence units and the remainder took our hammocks into a fleainfested tunnel and worked on the ship between air-raids. I helped set demolition charges in the wireless station to prevent it falling into the hands of the Germans if they arrived, and joined dockyard patrol. I had a.303 rifle and my mate Mick had a.45 revolver. After thirty days of 5 Crew s quarters Malta Dockyard more than eight air raids a day, we slipped out of harbour with a captured Italian ship, El Nil, and headed for Alexandria. After a few days in port, Vendetta joined Waterhen, Voyager, Stuart, and Vampire on the Spud Run to Tobruk, taking provisions in and wounded out between dive-bombing attacks. Waterhen copped enough bombs to open up her plates and sink her. Some British destroyers struck mines and the bombs caused a hospital ship to beach to avoid sinking. The Germans called us the Scrap Iron Flotilla. The Italians invaded Greece and Germany moved troops to help them. We were called on to evacuate our retreating troops. We successfully evacuated several hundred to Crete. Some ships in the evacuation were not so lucky. On arrival in Alexandria I was transferred to the cruiser HMAS Perth. Mick and Gordon shore patrol, Malta The German success in Greece was quickly followed by a decision to invade Crete and occupy this vital eastern Mediterranean island. The battle fleet raced to Crete in an endeavour to halt the invasion. The battle of Crete began. Hundreds of small landing crafts, paratroop planes and high level bombers left Greece for Crete. Perth steamed among the invading small ships, sinking them with Bombed hospital ship - Tobruk machine guns, bofors, œrlikons and even lowered AA guns. One of the Allied ships sunk in this battle was Mountbatten s ship HMS Kelly providing the inspiration for the film In Which We Serve. 4

We landed the survivors in Alexandria and went into dock for repairs. Repairs completed, the Perth was again ready for sea.

5 Once again, we were forced to evacuate troops from the beaches. Perth was not as lucky as Vendetta had been in Greece. We had picked up several hundred troops and were getting away when a dive-bomber put a 500lb bomb through the ventilator of No 1 boiler room. Four sailors and ten soldiers were killed. We landed the survivors in Alexandria and went into dock for repairs. Repairs completed, the Perth was again ready for sea. The buzz was, We re going back to Australia but our captain told us that we were not going home but to Palestine to help the British army and the Australian 7 th division fight the Vichy French and HMAS Perth Germans in Syria. At Haifa, Mick and I hired a car and toured the Holy Land for the day. For a few days, Perth and other ships bombarded Beirut, blew up a few bridges and laid down a barrage for the army advance. With the Syrian war won, HMAS Perth returned to Australia for refit and six weeks leave. On returning from leave, I was made a petty officer and posted to HMAS Colac which was fortunate for me, since Perth was sunk by the Japanese in the battle of the Sunda Strait. After sea trials we set off to convoy troop ships to Milne Bay. As Supply Officer, I learned never to run out of tomato sauce. Sailors can eat anything so long as they can cover it with tomato sauce. I was then appointed liaison officer with the US navy base at Gamadodo, Milne Bay. I lived in luxury with two American chiefs for twelve months. After the end of WW II, I was sent to Townsville to dispose of all the surplus navy assets in North Queensland. This job took two years. I was then posted to the Pinkenba Boom Defence depot. I was made a CPO just twelve months short of finishing my twelve years service. I married a girl I had been engaged to for five years, bought a business, and after my discharge became a civilian running the Story Bridge Private Hotel. The business wore both my wife and me out with the need to work 24/7 with only one other staff when the navy came to the rescue. Commonwealth Immigration wanted supply officers to help set up and run migrant camps in Australia. Was I HMAS Colac Milne Bay interested?!! We sold the business and I took the job as supply officer at the Enoggera Migrant Camp. I later helped open and run a new migrant camp in Cairns for two years, relieved at the camp at Stuart near Townsville. The Camp Director had me take a team of ex-partisan fighters to shoot some of the many goats on Mt Stuart to feed the migrants during a strike at the Townsville meat-works. 5

On returning to my job in Cairns, I found that some women had been taking food to their rooms. The problem was a matter of camp hygiene; Cairns cockroaches are as big as rats and rats as big as cats.

6 On returning to my job in Cairns, I found that some women had been taking food to their rooms. The problem was a matter of camp hygiene; Cairns cockroaches are as big as rats and rats as big as cats. We were in the middle of both a polio and a TB epidemic in North Queensland and keeping 450 migrants free of disease was top priority. My frustration came to a head when a woman threw a plate of food at me. I resigned, found a job in Cairns, my wife found a flat and we started life as Cairns residents. I worked for ANA for a while, pushing passengers luggage around. I spent three years at the Cairns Base hospital as paymaster, gained my accountancy qualification, built a house, ran a small farm, and settled down to a quiet life. A Brisbane company, ACF & Shirley s, decided to build a big new chemical fertilizer plant in Cairns and were looking for an accountant administrator officer. It sounded interesting so I applied for and got the job, leaving the happy life of nurses and doctors. I thoroughly enjoyed working at the plant with all the technical people. In slack manufacturing times, I also became a shift Line ahead to action supervisor. On one occasion late in the middle watch, the pump inlet to the granulator scrubber became blocked and a couple of men had to clear the inlet which was in Smelly Creek. One man asked, What s that sound coming from the creek bank? I replied, Don t worry, that s only the crocodile eggs hatching. It was true. There was a crocodile nest on the bank. They did eventually clear the inlet. My happy days at the Works came to an end when I was made head office accountant. Computers interested me and I could see the savings their introduction would make for our company. Having nothing (?) better to do, I wrote a report to the chief accountant in Brisbane and he passed it on to the Board of Directors. Shortly after, I was invited to Brisbane and agreed to carry out a feasibility study to introduce a computer and determine the savings that could be made. I subsequently spent some weeks in Brisbane and recommended that the company install a computer. Life in the tropic wonderland of wait-awhile unhurried Cairns went on as normal. I heard no more until some weeks later I was asked to go to Brisbane. I was offered the job of Systems Manager to implement all the changes I had recommended. Gordon on convoy lookout 6

I thanked them for the generous offer but pointed out it was a job for a younger man; I was over 50, had a home and a little farm, and loved the life in Cairns.

7 I thanked them for the generous offer but pointed out it was a job for a younger man; I was over 50, had a home and a little farm, and loved the life in Cairns. I waited in Cairns for the management s response. Their decision was We want you to get rid of operations in Cairns and transfer them to Brisbane, including your job, which will not be replaced. In short accept or you find yourself another job. I accepted. I had to learn a new life-style with new people and new work. I had to wear a coat and tie! and implement changes which were generally resented. I longed for the easy-going life of Cairns. At 62, after many years of Systems work, I retired. A new life began of golf, travel and letting the world of technology pass me by. Gordon preferred horseback NAA Membership I have no idea when I joined NAA Brisbane. I do remember Les Batts who I think was welfare officer visiting me in Greenslopes in I paid my dues and enjoyed being in touch through journals and newsletters. My main involvement has been with the Vendetta Veterans Association. I m the only Vendetta I WW II member; all the others are Vietnam era Vendetta II members. I have marched with them for many years on ANZAC Day. In 2016 for the first time I will enjoy watching it all on TV. Birthdays January Damien Barnes William Sim Mick Reptik Marcus Vella Lou Grimshaw Damian Petrie Tony Townsend February Graham Ison John Noack Andrew Black Tristan Harris Jim Blunt Gary Bax Shirley Rice Lew Rice Happy birthday, everyone! Connect with us Brisbane Sub Section - Naval Association of Australia Navy Motorcycle Riders Division -Naval Association 7

Fundraising Thank you to our sponsors Delivering thoughtful, caring funeral services to Brisbane families for four generations, the Gow family provides dignified and personal attention to those

They can make arrangements for burial and cremation services, as well as providing information and resources for planning, pre-planning, insurance, financial arrangements, grief support and

Supporting our Adopt a Salt campaign for the past 3 years, it is through their generous monthly donation that we are able to continue in supporting our members who have mobility issues the means

They offer a full range of banking products including: Term deposits (special rates for RSL members!

8 Fundraising Thank you to our sponsors Delivering thoughtful, caring funeral services to Brisbane families for four generations, the Gow family provides dignified and personal attention to those most in need. They can make arrangements for burial and cremation services, as well as providing information and resources for planning, pre-planning, insurance, financial arrangements, grief support and crematoriums and cemeteries across Brisbane. For information about funeral pre-planning, insurance or other financial arrangements, call their friendly Brisbane staff on Supporting our Adopt a Salt campaign for the past 3 years, it is through their generous monthly donation that we are able to continue in supporting our members who have mobility issues the means to be able to transport them to monthly functions etc. ADCU has been providing banking services to the defence and ex-defence community since They offer a full range of banking products including: Term deposits (special rates for RSL members!) Home loans Personal and car loans Low rate visa credit card A relationship reward that rewards members (a rebate on fees) Call ADCU on or visit for more information. Grill d at Chermside With their Local Matters support program, we have been fortunate enough to be the recipients of two campaigns now, with the latest seeing a $100 donation being awarded. Located outside of the cinema end of Westfield at Chermside, if you are doing a bit of shopping there, be sure to drop in and give them our support. 8

On this day 5 January 1945 HMAS Australia damaged by Kamikaze aircraft 7 January 1952 HMAS Tobruk bombards Chomi Do, Korea Australian ships were operating in support of United States amphibious

9 On this day 5 January 1945 HMAS Australia damaged by Kamikaze aircraft 7 January 1952 HMAS Tobruk bombards Chomi Do, Korea Australian ships were operating in support of United States amphibious landings in the Lingayen Gulf, Philippines when the Australia, for the second time in the war, became one of seven Allied ships to be struck by Kamikaze aircraft. 25 of her crew were killed and 30 wounded. The bombardment of Chomi Do, on the Haeju Gulf northwest of Seoul, forestalled a North Korean invasion of Yongmae Do, an island about 20 kilometres from Inchon. 8 January 1916 Evacuation of Helles British and French landings at Helles on 25 April 1915, had failed to secure their objectives, leading to a lengthy stalemate on the southern tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. 10 January 1942 Japanese air raid on Singapore 16 January 1952 HMAS Sydney begins its seventh patrol in Korean waters 21 January 1936 HMAS Yarra (II) commissioned 25 January 1942 Full mobilisation ordered in Australia 25 January 1952 Last day of HMAS Sydney's service in the Korean war After their rapid advance through Malaya, Japanese forces paved the way for their invasion of Singapore with a series of air raids against the island. Sydney began its service in Korea in August This was the ship's final patrol in Korean waters. The Grimsby class sloop, HMAS Yarra (II) (Captain GD Moore, RAN) was commissioned in Sydney. HMAS Yarra was one of the busiest Australian ships of World War II serving in the Red and Mediterranean Seas, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. On 4 March 1942, while escorting a convoy through the Sunda Strait, Yarra encountered a Japanese force consisting of three heavy cruisers. Yarra s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander, Robert W Rankin, RAN, courageously placed his ship between the convoy and the enemy but in the face of such overwhelming firepower, Yarra s task was hopeless and she was sunk shortly after 8.00am. Of Yarra s total complement of 151, 138 including Rankin and all officers were killed in the action or died subsequently on rafts. The threat of a Japanese invasion and the proximity of Japanese forces to Australia demanded an increased commitment from the Government and public. HMAS Sydney had served in Korean waters since August The carrier had operated Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft (both types can be seen in the Memorial's Aircraft Hall). 9

28 January 1991 RAN Clearance Diving Team departs Perth for Kuwait 31 January 1942 British forces withdraw to Singapore 31 January 1975 Darwin rebuilt following Cyclone Tracy HMAS Arrow Darwin after

Having been driven from the Malayan peninsula, Allied forces retreated to what was believed to be the impregnable fortress of Singapore.

Thirteen RAN warships, eleven aircraft and thousands of sailors had been involved in the operation, and contributed greatly to getting Darwin cleaned up, and restoring essential services.

10 28 January 1991 RAN Clearance Diving Team departs Perth for Kuwait 31 January 1942 British forces withdraw to Singapore 31 January 1975 Darwin rebuilt following Cyclone Tracy HMAS Arrow Darwin after Tracy Darwin today As part of Australia's commitment to the Gulf War a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team was dispatched to the Gulf for explosive ordnance demolition tasks. Having been driven from the Malayan peninsula, Allied forces retreated to what was believed to be the impregnable fortress of Singapore. Operation Navy Help, the support to the clean up and rebuilding of Darwin following Cyclone Tracy, was completed. Thirteen RAN warships, eleven aircraft and thousands of sailors had been involved in the operation, and contributed greatly to getting Darwin cleaned up, and restoring essential services. The next day the last two warships, HMA Ships Stalwart and Brisbane, departed. Brisbane had the distinction of being one of the first ships to arrive in Darwin on 31 December, and being one the last to leave. Of the RAN assets in Darwin, the Naval Headquarters was destroyed, as were large sections of the patrol boat base and the married quarters. The oil fuel supply installation and naval communications station at HMAS Coonawarra were also damaged. Four Attack class patrol boats were based in Darwin, Advance and Assail were able to weather the cyclone with minor damage, but Attack was forced aground, and Arrow sank after colliding with Stokes Hill Wharf, killing two personnel and bringing the death toll to 65. The first RAN units to arrive in Darwin were two HS 748 aircraft from 851 Squadron on 26 December; one carrying Red Cross members and blood transfusion equipment, the other transporting Clearance diving team 1 (CDT1). That day, HMA Ships Balikpapan and Betano departed from Brisbane, Flinders sailed from Cairns, while Melbourne (with Rear Admiral Wells aboard), Brisbane, and Stuart left Sydney. On 27 December, Hobart, Stalwart, Supply and Vendetta left Sydney, while Brunei and Tarakan sailed from Brisbane. The last ship, Wewak left Brisbane on 2 January. Between the 13 ships, 3,000 personnel were deployed on the operation. Darwin's mayor, Harry 'Tiger' Brennan, said the following "We owe the Navy the greatest debt of all." 10

10 February 1964 HMAS Voyager During the night of 10 February 1964, Voyager and the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne collided off Jervis Bay, when the destroyer passed in front of the carrier during

11 10 February 1964 HMAS Voyager During the night of 10 February 1964, Voyager and the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne collided off Jervis Bay, when the destroyer passed in front of the carrier during post-refit sea trials. Voyager was cut in two by the collision, sinking with the loss of 82 of the 314 people aboard. This was the largest loss of Australian military personnel in peacetime, and the subsequent investigations resulted in the holding of two Royal Commissions the only time in Australian history this has occurred. 14 February 1942 SS Vyner Brooke sunk 19 February 1915 Allied warships shell Dardanelles 19 February 1942 First Japanese air raid on Darwin The Vyner Brooke, carrying 65 Australian nurses and other refugees from Singapore, was sunk by Japanese aircraft one day after leaving the island. The survivors made their way to Banka Island where one group of nurses were massacred by their Japanese captors. Only Sister Vivian Bullwinkel survived the massacre. This was the first allied attempt to force a passage through the Dardanelles and attack the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Its failure ultimately led to the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign. The city was bombed 64 times between February 1942 and November February 1942 Battle of Java Sea In two separate actions off the coast of Surabaya involving heavy losses in Allied shipping. HMAS Perth was involved in the battle and was one of the few allied ships to survive. The action delayed Japanese landings in Java by only one day. 29 February 1972 HMAS Sydney arrives at Vung Tau On this voyage Sydney embarked 457 soldiers. HMAS Sydney made 21 voyages to Vietnam during the war. Navy Riders Navy Riders are working on a new membership joining package to make it more attractive for the many Facebook members to make the transition to paid members, as a way to get our Navy Riders logo/patch out there. We are also working with the Crew, to join them on some of their rides this year. We encourage you to organise rides in your local areas. If you re going for a ride, post it on the Facebook page, even if it's just down to your local you never know, you might end up catching up with a long lost shipmate. 11

Dates for your calendar February Sun 28 Feb 11:00 NAA BSS AGM March Friday 18-Saturday 19 NAA State Conference hosted by Bundamba Sub-Section Sunday 27 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting April Sunday 24

12 Dates for your calendar February Sun 28 Feb 11:00 NAA BSS AGM March Friday 18-Saturday 19 NAA State Conference hosted by Bundamba Sub-Section Sunday 27 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting April Sunday 24 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting Monday 25 ANZAC Day May Sunday 29 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting June Sunday 26 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting July Sunday 31 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting August Sunday 28 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting September Sunday 25 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting October Sunday 30 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting November Sunday 27 11:00 NAA BSS monthly meeting December Sunday 11 11:00 Proposed date for Christmas function We will remember them They have no grave But the cruel sea No flowers lay at their head A rusting hulk is their tombstone Afast on the ocean bed They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them Lest we forget NAA Brisbane Sub-Section PO Box 120 ASPLEY QLD 4034 Newsletter compiled by Bridget Hallam media@naa-brisbane.org.au 12

The Cat s Tales. President s Report Brett Piraner Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section.

The Cat s Tales. President s Report Brett Piraner Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section. The Cat s Tales April 2016 Newsletter of Navy Association of Australia Brisbane Sub-Section President s Report Brett Piraner pres@naa-brisbane.org.au Greetings and salutations Well, it has only been three