Published 2018 by Gaye Lewis 112/60 Siddeley Street Docklands Vic 3008 Phone: 0421 331 643

Email: gayelewis8@gmail.com

Copyright © Gaye Lewis 2018

All rights reserved.

ISBN 9780648328209 LTD ED

ISBN 9780648328216 HC

ISBN 9780648328223 PDF

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Dedicated to

Hiram Ristrom

and his comrades

who served in

HMAS Assault, Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia.

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Contents
Hiram’s Story	5—12
Map of Operations	13
Summary of Operations	14—18
Navy records	19—28
Photos	29—31
Acknowledgments & References	32
Acronyms	33

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Harold (Hiram) George Ristrom

PM 4883

Leading Seaman/Coxswain

HMAS Kanimbla

Hiram was born ‘Harold George Ristrom’ at Benalla on 21 June 1924 to Percival George Ristrom and Lily Rosalind Ristrom, nee McFadyen. He was the first of five children, followed by Joan, Dorothy, John and Margaret. His father was a representative for International Harvester Company which often required him to be away from home as he travelled the country fixing and selling farm machinery. His mode of transport was by train, car and occasionally horse and buggy.

The Great Depression set in during Hiram’s formative years. The family moved several times seeking work, finally settling in Bentleigh. Hiram’s father started a second-hand car business in Prahran, however the business “dried up” when petrol rationing was imposed. This necessitated Percival to seek work in the Mallee district constructing silos and returning home every few weeks to be with his family. Love, faith, loyalty, adaptability, ingenuity and perseverance were the threads that wove the family fabric.

One of Hiram’s earliest peacetime memories was, as a young lad, watching artillery men in ceremonial uniform riding horse-drawn gun carriages along St Kilda Road. “Under the beautiful trees the whole thing was absolutely magnificent, very picturesque.” Hiram’s father would have driven him there in the family car to watch his Uncle George.

Hiram was 15 years old and in his last year of high school when WW2 broke out on 3 September 1939. The Nation and its people were about to recalibrate themselves. At that time, the luxury passenger liner TSMV Kanimbla was sailing from Brisbane to Sydney. Upon arrival, the Royal Navy requisitioned her for conversion to an AMC (Armed Merchant Cruiser). Stripped of her beautiful wooden interior, then installed with armament (including 7 x 6” and 2 x 3” guns) she was commissioned HMS Kanimbla on 6 October 1939 and sent forth to patrol the Pacific Islands and China Sea.

Families adapted too. Hiram’s Uncle George, who had been a volunteer or “weekend” soldier for the artillery, was sent abroad to Syria and the Middle East with the 2nd 11th Field Regiment. Hiram’s father found work at a munitions factory closer to home in Footscray. Hiram got a job as a junior clerk for Royal Insurance Co in Collins Street, not far from the heritage-listed Olderfleet Building. It was in that building, one lunchtime, where Hiram volunteered for the Navy, inspired by his great grandfather, Eric Ollov Risstrom, a Swedish merchant seaman who “travelled to far-away places”.

The Navy swore Hiram in but said: “We’re not ready for you yet – go home, work and we’ll let you know when we want you!”

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Hiram was 17 years old when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour, drawing the USA into WW2. The next 24 hours saw Japan launch simultaneous attacks on Guam, Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Wakde Island (Indonesia) and shortly after Borneo and Rabaul (Papua New Guinea). Japan had already invaded China and French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). Two months later Darwin was bombed, the first of 97 air-raids across northern Australia. In May that year a Japanese mini submarine infiltrated Sydney Harbour, taking aim at USS Chicago, however misfired its torpedo and sunk HMAS Kuttabul. During the attack HMS Kanimbla and HMAS Westralia were berthed nearby at Neutral Bay.

With Japan’s rapid advancement in the South West Pacific a seismic shift was taking place in the Nation’s thinking. AIF troops from the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions who had been fighting in Europe and the Middle East were returned to Australia to gear up for the task ahead. The Australian, American and British governments recognised the need for a joint effort of strategic amphibious operations to recapture enemy-occupied territory and push back the Japanese. The Australian War Cabinet granted approval for the establishment of the RAN amphibious training centre, HMAS Assault, where the Joint Overseas Operational Training School would be set up to coordinate and train Australian and US army and navy personnel in amphibious warfare. In June 1942, a suitable site for Assault was identified at Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW. It would take some months for the shore facility Assault to be built.

Meanwhile, Hiram was still waiting to hear from the Navy when on his 18th birthday he received a letter from the Army. “Everybody got called up and had to go into the Army whether they liked it or not.” Hiram informed them that he’d already joined the Navy, however the Army said: “We’ve got news for you!” After completing eight weeks training at Puckapunyal with the 4th Field Training Regiment Hiram approached his Staff Sergeant to volunteer for the AIF in the hope of travelling abroad like his Uncle George. It was only then that the Sergeant remembered a letter he’d received from the Navy concerning Hiram. The two week old letter had been conveniently filed under his desk blotter – out of sight, out of mind – until now!

Consequently, on 27 August 1942 the Army discharged Hiram and he was transferred to Flinders Naval Depot (HMAS Cerberus) where he enlisted into the Royal Australian Naval Reserve as Ordinary Seaman, PM4883. He and others, who had also transferred from the Army, were assigned to Class S18. Little did they know that “S” stood for Special Services. After completing an obligatory three week training course, Hiram was drafted to HMAS Assault.

However, the shore facility Assault wasn’t ready yet so Hiram was transferred to HMAS Penguin for a couple of months while waiting for the quiet fishing village at Nelson Bay to undergo its transformation. Nelson Bay was put off limits to the general public necessitating locals to use permits to come and go. It had to be fortified with gun emplacements, fixed torpedo tubes on a purpose-built jetty, command post, signal station, search light station as well as sufficient water and electricity supply. Barracks had to be built to house the large numbers of Australian and US defence personnel. The kitchen, mess hall, sick bay, stores, administration blocks, and numerous buildings to house plant and equipment had to be built too.

Harold George Ristrom was given his nickname “Hiram” by Able Seaman Roger Gittus. Roger and Hiram shared the same time at Flinders Naval Depot, and in HMAS Penguin, Westralia, Assault and just a few days in Manoora. Hiram explains;

“We were mucking around on the mess deck and I took the part of Hiram Scudder who was an American in an afternoon kids [radio] play named ‘Frank and Archie’ [Frank Watanabe and the Honorable Archie]. Hiram Scudder was one of the characters in that. Roger was so

impressed he did a caricature of me and stuck it on the noticeboard with ‘Hiram J’ underneath it, and that was it – I was ‘Hiram’ from then on.”

Roger later became an official War Artist and gifted Hiram some of his artwork.

Apparently the “Hiram J” stuck as evidenced by the chippy’s handiwork on Hiram’s wooden suitcase. It is in this suitcase that Hiram has faithfully stored his Navy rig which remains in excellent condition decades later.

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Hiram finally got transferred to HMAS Assault in November 1942, initially boarding and training in HMAS Westralia, berthed at Port Stephens, until the shore facility was fully built and operational a month later. During the next ten months Assault would facilitate training of 20,000 US soldiers and marines, 2,000 Australian soldiers and 1,000 RAN personnel, including 120 naval commandos. Training was intense, covering unarmed combat, instructions in weaponry and explosives, signals training and amphibious landing operations for hostile shores. Hiram’s forte was in navigational skills, barge handling and landing manoeuvres.

Initially the landing craft used were British-designed LCAs, also known as ALCAs (Armoured Landing Craft Assault). They were heavy, cumbersome, difficult to pull back from shore and sat low in the water – not ideal for rough conditions. Later the barges would be replaced with American-designed LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) which were lighter, quicker and more agile. Hiram’s prowess at handling the various landing craft was well and truly put to the test when he crewed a 15.2m LCM (Landing Craft Mechanised) from Port Stephens to Sydney where it was to be winched onto HMAS Kanimbla. The 100 nautical mile journey meant that they had to cross the Newcastle Bight taking the barge 50 miles offshore to the open waters.

Each LCVP carried 36 soldiers in the well deck, plus the coxswain, stoker and two seamen who, if required, would man the gunner’s cockpit. Before any landing, a Beach Party would be sent ahead for reconnaissance to identify and deal with any obstacles and set up communication flags. Sniper fire was always a risk. Every landing presented different conditions such as the swell of the surf,

tidal and current behaviour, landmines, coral reefs, sandbanks, nature and gradient of the beach as well as enemy position, etc. If the barge wasn’t landed close enough to the beach – there was a risk that troops, laden with their armament, would drown when offloading. The skill was to catch a wave at the right time, land at the right place and unload as quickly as possible, then withdraw from the danger area, returning to the ship for the next load. Depending on the wind and water current there was also the chance of the barge broaching sideways while unloading its crew and equipment – making it difficult to reverse out of trouble. The speed of the approach as well as the timing of the ramp being released were also critical elements – if done too fast or too soon the barge could fill with water and sand.

Model of K12, created by STO Nev Phillips. Displayed at Geelong Naval Museum. Photo by C. Harvey

Between February and June 1943, while training was being carried out at Assault, the Royal Australian Navy requisitioned Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia for conversion from AMCs (Armed Merchant Cruiser) to LSIs (Landing Ship Infantry) in readiness for the task ahead. In October that year Hiram was drafted to HMAS Kanimbla as Coxswain of LCVP K12. He spent the rest of the year engaged in training with US troops in amphibious warfare

near the Naval Beach Commando School, Toorbul, on Bribie Island and Redcliffe, Queensland in preparation for operations in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

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From January 1944 until the end of WW2, Kanimbla participated in seven Operations in the South West Pacific Area. Interspersed with these were reinforcement runs, escort duties and more joint training exercises at Trinity Beach - Cairns, Goodenough Island - Papua (now New Guinea) and Morotai - Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

	Hiram experienced his first air-raid in January 1944 when Kanimbla had just
		AWM 088272
	dropped off US troops and their equipment at Langemak Bay, New Guinea.
	When “Action Stations” was sounded, Hiram’s duty was to man the damage
	control water pump and hoses on the troop deck near No.4 Hatch, wearing
	a protective asbestos suit. The ship would be “closed up” during Action
	Stations and with the heat of the day and battle dress gear it was a
	claustrophobic environment. “You could be called to Action Stations any
	number of times during the day or night as well as practise runs every day
	at dawn and dusk”. Photo: 13.4.1945 at HMAS Penguin demonstrating the
	efficiency of an asbestos suit. AWM 088272

Thankfully there was no damage and Kanimbla proceeded to Port Moresby to pick up 56 officers and 1,090 men from the 2/31 Battalion, 7th Division AIF and return them to Australia. These men were in “terrible shape” having courageously fought the arduous Kokoda Track Campaign, against massive numbers of Japanese and in horrendous conditions. TEL Peter Sherman writes in his book, Cry Havoc HMS-HMAS Kanimbla Goes to War:

“The soldiers were in a pretty bad state with their jungle greens all torn, and sores all over their legs, in a shocking state. The first night aboard, to give the soldiers a good meal, the cooks put on sausages, eggs and tomatoes. Some of the sailors were helping the cooks serve the meal by way of handing out the bread and butter. A.B. Ken ‘Snowy’ Barrett was helping, and as one soldier was passing along the line, Barrett said to him, ‘How are you going Dig, had enough?’ and he replied, ‘It’s great, I have been through three times, and I am going through again!!’ Lieut. Commander Lou Irvine, the ship’s Paymaster came down to the cafeteria, and asked the Chief Cook, Bob Bastian, ‘How are you going there?’ Bastian replied, ‘We are nearly out of food.’ Lieut. Commander Irvine said to him, ‘Take stock from the Wardroom Galley, and feed them as long as they want to eat’.”

	Kanimbla had a ship’s company of 650, however
Photo: AIF resting on deck of HMAS Westralia.	when it took on troops of 1,000 or more, the
AWM 018440	sleeping and eating arrangements required
	adaptability and tolerance. Hammocks proved to be
	very hot in the tropics. Where possible, it was
	cooler to sleep on the upper deck although that
	was disrupted with occasional tropical rain. Often
	Hiram would sleep on the mess deck bench stools.
	As for
		Photo: 3.5.1945 AIF troops having lunch
	eating,
		aboard HMAS Kanimbla AWM 089356
	it was
	standing
	room
	only!

Water was rationed to twice a day for ten minutes at a time. Having a shower was like being in a fast-moving production line. If you didn’t finish washing your hair before the water supply got cut off, you’d have to go up on deck and use salt water to wash the soap out – the hair and skin would remain crusty all day.

Early February 1944 Kanimbla returned to New Guinea to bring back another contingent of the 7th Division to Australia. This followed more

training at Trinity Beach, Cairns with 6th Division and the Naval Beach Groups. By that time the new American designed landing craft had arrived to replace the cumbersome ALCA barges.

>Film: F01305 Training at Trinity Beach Cairns 7th & 9th Division https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C188879

>Radio Interview: www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/breakfast/war-memorial-milne-bay-kokoda-campaign -commemorations-awm/8833716

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Things didn’t always go as planned but Hiram’s ability to adapt, stay focused, keep a level-head and sense of humour invariably prevailed. There was great activity and even excitement in the leadup to their first invasion, Operation Reckless. Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia were to join a flotilla of 158 vessels which was to diverge into a three-pronged attack on Tanahmerah Bay, Hollandia and Aitape, effectively separating the Japanese army of 60,000 into two locations, disrupting their supplies.

Imagine the disappointment when just prior to the Operation, twelve of Kanimbla’s LCVPs and their barge crews, which included Hiram, were put ashore at Oro Bay (US Army base at Buna, Papua). They had to rely on their own limited resources. Aussie ingenuity stepped in and they found disused tents, located on the camp’s periphery, where they could sleep. There was no NOIC (Naval Officer In Charge) at Oro Bay, however eventually they were acknowledged and taken in by the US Army. Hiram and K12 crew were assigned as “duty boat” to service various ships in the Bay and for approximately two weeks got drafted to American destroyer USS Neuendorf. Hiram also boarded USS Henry T Allen and delightfully recalls eating pancakes with ice-cream and discovering cold lemonade on tap whilst on board. They stayed a total of 46 days at Oro Bay and in that time suffered prickly heat rash – a condition made worse in the humid tropics. The US Army doctor advised that their condition was exacerbated by the inappropriate flannelette shirts the RAN had issued them. Consequently, they were sent off to the US purser for a supply of 100% cotton “US navy blues”. They were given a boisterous ribbing from their mates as they reboarded Kanimbla dressed in their new rig.

Hiram was never to be separated from Kanimbla again. Though in the very last landing he and those on K12 nearly got separated from us all – and that would have been the end of this story.

It happened during Operation OBOE TWO at Balikpapan on 1 July 1945:

The prelanding bombardment at Balikpapan was massive. One might almost be assured that no enemy could possibly have survived such an onslaught. As K12 was approaching Yellow Beach there was disturbance across the water ahead of them and a mortar shell flew just over the top of K12. The order was given to break form and change direction. Immediately Hiram responded with instinctive efficiency – relentless training had paid off. More strafing was hitting the water where K12 would have been had it not changed direction so quickly. They were under machine gunfire. Fortunately, the destroyers dealt with that effectively. On their journey back to Kanimbla, K12 received the warning signal that they were passing through a minefield … a crew member had to keep watch from over the bow as they manoeuvred through the treacherous area.

Victory in the Pacific was declared on 15 August 1945 – bringing the end of WW2.

Kanimbla was in Subic Bay (Luzon, Philippines) when Japan surrendered.

Photo: 15 August 1945, Balikpapan, Borneo

Members of 7th Division and RAN Commandos at prayer

during the thanksgiving service held in the salvation army hut on Milford Hwy on VP Day. AWM 113205

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Hiram’s fondest memory is “bringing long-serving members of the

7th and 9th Divisions of the AIF

back home on 4 September 1945 to a tumultuous welcome.”

Photo: 4.9.1945 HMAS Kanimbla, Brisbane AWM P02303.003

For nine months after the war Kanimbla voyaged to various locations in the SWPA

returning repatriated POWs and troops to Australia.

She also made trips carrying Japanese POWs.

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HMAS Kanimbla

Ship’s Company

New Farm Wharf, Brisbane

5 September 1945

Photo courtesy of Hiram Ristrom

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HMAS Kanimbla participated in seven operations

in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA)

Map by AB Harry Peers

Operation Noiseless	Tanahmerah Bay, Hollandia
Reinforcement Run	Toem
Operation Interlude	Morotai Island
Operation Musketeer King II	Leyte
Operation Musketeer Mike I	Lingayen Gulf
Operation OBOE SIX	Brunei
Operation OBOE TWO	Balikpapan

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		With a flotilla of 158 ships, Operation Noiseless was conducted as a prelude to
		Operation Reckless. The object was to secure the port and three airfields that the
	Operation Noiseless	Japanese had built during their occupation of New Guinea—effectively
		dislocating into two the Japanese army of 60,000. Its execution involved a
		“deception tactic” to keep the Japanese expecting a blow at the Madang-Hansa
	22 April 1944	area whilst the true focus was Hollandia. It was a coordinated three-pronged
		attack on Tanahmerah Bay, Humboldt Bay and Aitape. Kanimbla, and Manoora
		landed at Red Beach, Tanahmerah Bay while Westralia landed at White Beach,
	Tanahmerah Bay, Hollandia,	Humboldt Bay.
	Dutch New Guinea	Kanimbla disembarked 1,300 US troops and equipment in less time than any
	(Indonesian province of
		other ship. A total of 14,000 troops landed at Tanahmerah Bay while 40,000 were
	Papua, New Guinea)
		engaged in the whole operation.
		Much to Hiram’s disappointment, he was sent to Oro Bay, Buna during this
		Operation.
		US troops had landed the area a fortnight earlier but were having extreme
	Reinforcement Run	difficulty holding the beach. The Japanese were only 30 to 50 metres inland and
		were pushing back the troops to the water’s edge. Hiram recalls, “At night the
	5 June 1944	Japs would infiltrate the US camp and kill sleeping soldiers or blow themselves up
		in tents. The US troops needed urgent reinforcements. There was heavy surf and
	Toem, Wakde Island	exposure to sniper fire … dead bodies floating in the water as we approached the
		beachhead—it was a ‘hairy’ day.”
	Dutch New Guinea
	(Indonesia)	Kanimbla put 1,500 US troops ashore as did Manoora amidst ferocious attack
		from the enemy.

		Operation Interlude was coordinated with Operation Trade Wind (Occupation of
		Morotai).
	Operation Interlude	Island hopping or leapfrogging was a military strategy used by the US and
		Australian forces in the SWPA. General MacArthur planned to counter Japanese
	Aka
		garrisons by bypassing them and interfering with their supply chain instead, thus
	Morotai Operation
		reducing their capacity to fight. He deliberately bypassed Halmahera Island to
		occupy nearby Morotai Island where there was little resistance as the Japanese
	15 September 1944	were focused on protecting their strong-hold at Halmahera. This isolated the
		Japanese on Halmahera. Importantly, Morotai then provided a support base
		(logistical hub and command centre) for the liberation of the Philippines and the
	Morotai Island	Australian led Borneo campaign.
	Dutch East Indies,	Kanimbla was engaged with the White Beach Attack Group of 37 ships. Manoora
	Part of the Maluka Islands
		was with the Red Beach Attack Group of 66 ships.
	(Indonesia)
		As there was limited pre-invasion intelligence, the landing craft were faced with
		unexpected poor beach conditions, rocky ridges and coral reefs. As a result, the
		soldiers and equipment had to be landed in deep surf.
		Hiram recalls the dreadful heat and glare off the water on the day of the landing
		and the overcrowding on board ship. Kanimbla disembarked 144 officers and
		1,061 troops from 124th Regiment 31st US Division.
		The Battle for Morotai Island was a naval and air success with no Australian lives
		lost. However, 45 American soldiers and 325 Japanese soldiers were killed.
		14

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Helmsman Certificate

Leading Seaman/Coxswain Harold (Hiram) George Ristrom PM4883

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October 1994

50th Anniversary—Leyte Landing,

Philippine Liberation Campaign

Marcos Country Estate

Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines

Imelda Marcos( centre) wife of ex-President Ferdinand Marcos and her entourage together with: Hiram Ristrom (LHS at rear)

Phil Thompson (front, blue shirt) Ken Baldwin (behind Phil)

Bev Baldwin (next to Imelda) Ken Barrett (striped shirt)

Tom Leigh (centre rear) Josi Sandiford (holding red hat)

Also in attendance but not visible: Nev Phillips

Photo courtesy of Hiram Ristrom

19 October 2014

ANZAC Centenary First Convoy Cocktail Party

HMAS Arunta

Station Pier, Port Melbourne

L-R:

The Hon Ted Baillieu MLA,

Chair of the Victorian ANZAC Centenary

Committee.

Hiram Ristrom, President HMS/HMAS

KANIMBLA Assoc Inc.

Norm Tame, WW2 Veteran.

CMDR Terry Makings AM RAN Rtd, President NCCV.

Photo by P. Makings

9 August 2017—Shrine of Remembrance, Auditorium ‘Words From Our Navy Veterans’ L:R

Norm Tame, Pamela Nicholls, Ray Leonard, Tracey Curro—Shrine of Remembrance Trustee, Jim Paizis & Hiram Ristrom Photo courtesy of Shrine of Remembrance

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11 November 2015

Remembrance Day

Shrine of Remembrance

Second World War Forecourt

Hiram standing with Sandy Hood, Master of Drum Corps and Caulfield South Primary School Drum Corps

Photo by G. Lewis

11 November 2015

Remembrance Day

Shrine of Remembrance

After the service, Hiram was interviewed by

Nick Etchells of Channel 7

His interview, which referred to being in the fleet the day General MacArthur returned to the Philippines, was included in the special Remembrance Day news segment that evening

Photo by G. Lewis

7 May 2017

Shrine of Remembrance

Second World War Forecourt

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral Sea

Hiram reading the Ode

Photo by D. Mosnik

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10 December 2016

Shrine of Remembrance—Sanctuary

Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony organised by AMC/LSI Association of Victoria to honour and remember those who served in HMAS Assault, Kanimbla, Manoora & Westralia

Hiram reading the prayer

Photo by R. Lewis

25 April 2017 ANZAC Day

Jardin Tan Restaurant, Melbourne

Reunion for veterans and descendants held by AMC/LSI Assoc of Vic

Love and support that weave the fabric of life continue through the generations.

Hiram surrounded by his son, daughter and just some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. L-R:

Sapphira Rainford, Ian Ristrom, Christine Rainford, Harold (Hiram)

Ristrom, Robert Cerny holding Angela Cerny, Alexander Rainford, Brendon Helps, Rebecca Rainford

(seated) and Mary-Ann Rainford. Also in attendance but not visible: Maddison Helps.

Photo by R. Lewis

25 April 2016 ANZAC Day Under Memorial Tree for HMAS Kanimbla, Westralia, Manoora Morton Bay & Arawa Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne

L-R: Mary-Beth Hosking (background)

Vice President AMC/LSI Assoc Vic.

LS/COXN Noel Grant, DSM (in wheelchair)

AB Harry Peers

STO Nev Phillips

STO Tas Luttrell LS/COXN Hiram Ristrom Also present but not visible: COXN Bill Tattersall

Photo by R. Lewis

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LS/COXN Hiram Ristrom for his endurance, amazing memory and records of all things Kanimbla and Navy ABC Radio Canberra: Dr Brendon Nelson’s poignant commentary on those who fought the Kokoda Trail Shrine of Remembrance for presenting and recording ‘Words From Our Navy Veterans’ 9.8.2017

TEL Peter Sherman for his dedication in writing ‘Cry Havoc HMS-HMAS Kanimbla Goes to War’

The Committee of AMC/LSI Assoc of Vic for their patience, encouragement and support Ian Pfennigwerth for his unbiased book ‘The Royal Australian Navy and MacArthur’ Neil Wilson, Herald Sun, for article ‘Old Salt Lights a Candle For HMAS Kanimbla’

STO Nevin Phillips for his handiwork in constructing the model of K 12

Channel 7 for their news coverage of Remembrance Day 11.11.2015

LCDR William N. Swan for his book ‘Spearheads of Invasion’

SIG John Wesley for his faithfully written War Diary

SIG Ron Feben for his knowledge and insight

AB Harry Peers for his detailed artwork

Jan Lewis for her encouragement

National Archives of Australia

Australian War Memorial

HMAS Cerberus Museum

ON-LINE REFERENCES

https://www.navyhistory.org.au

https://www.navy.gov.au/history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/06/world-war-two-fatalities-visualized_n_7526390.html

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	Acronyms
AB	Able Seaman
AIF	Australian Imperial Force
ALCA	Armoured Landing Craft Assault
AMC	Armed Merchant Cruiser
AWM	Australian War Memorial
COXN	Coxswain
DSM	Distinguished Service Medal
HMAS	Her/His Majesty’s Australian Ship
HMS	Her/His Majesty's Ship (UK)
IJN	Imperial Japanese Navy
JOOTS	Joint Overseas Operational Training School
LCA	Landing Craft Assault
LCM	Landing Craft Mechanised
LCVP	Landing Craft Vehicular Personnel
LS	Leading Seaman
LSI	Landing Ship Infantry
NAA	Naval Association of Australia
NCCV	Naval Commemoration Committee of Victoria
NOIC	Naval Officer in Charge
POW	Prisoner of War
RAN	Royal Australian Navy
RANR	Royal Australian Navy Reserve
RN	Royal Navy
SIG	Signalman
STO	Stoker
SWPA	South West Pacific Area
TEL	Telegraphist
TF	Task Force
TSMV	Twin Screw Motor Vessel
USS	United States Ship

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