HMAS Armidale survivors reunion
11 June 1998
HMAS Armidale was one of sixty Australian Minesweepers (known as corvettes) built during WWII commissioned in Sydney 11 June 1942. In November the ship was ordered, along with HMAS Kuru and Castlemaine, to resupply and evacuate troops and civilians from Betano Bay, Timor. Spotted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft as they left Darwin, Armidale and Castlemaine survived repeated air attacks but reached Betano too late to rendezvous with Kuru, which had already embarked Portuguese refugees and made for open water. The two corvettes found Kuru 110 kilometres off Timor and the refugees were transferred to Castlemaine, which then returned to Darwin. Kuru and Armidale were ordered to continue the operation in daylight. Both came under further attack and Armidale was sunk. The story of HMAS Armidale is an important yet neglected episode in Australia's wartime history, the tragic story of the Armidale combines themes of bravery, sacrifice, and endurance. A hundred lives were lost when the ship went down, but in an extraordinary feat of survival, and despite continuing attacks from bombers and sharks, 49 managed to survive at sea for up to 8 days before being rescued. Out of a total of 83 naval personnel, 40 lost their lives. Losses of Netherlands East Indies personnel were two officers and 58 soldiers. Chief Minister Stone, a serving member of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve and Patron of the Naval Association of the NT agreed to host a reunion of survivors in Darwin; a Reception and wreath laying. Reunion organised by Gail and Jim Keddie of the Naval Association. CAPT Bill Overton RAN CAPT HMAS Coonawarra senior Naval Officer 'Top End'.
- Document type: Photo
- Time period: Legislative Assembly NT
- People: Noreen BROWN, George BROWN, Neil CONN, Lesley CONN, Maggie HICKEY, Gail KEDDIE, Jim KEDDIE, Tom LEWIS, Bill OVERTON
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