Honouring the Men who gave their lives whilst serving in the Merchant Navy
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
S.S. DUREENBEE (Trawler)
WW2
WW2
The Age (Melbourne, Vic) 5-8-1942
EASY PREY FOR SUBMARINE
Trawler Hit Off East Coast
Two men were killed and four Injured— one seriously — when a Japanese submarine attacked a 200-ton trawler off the east coast of Australia recently. The vessel was hit by twelve shells, but still remained afloat. Sailors attempting to reach their lifeboat were machine-gunned by Japanese sailors. Those killed were Archibald McPherson, a New Zealander, and Arthurt Scoble, an Englishman. The wounded were:— George Reid, chief engineer, of Mortdale; Thomas Alexander Reid, mate, of Mortdale; Frank Temple, fireman, Glebe Point; Laurence Wilson, radio operator. Captain William Reid. Rozelle, was treated for shock.
Also treated for shock were Jack Reid, second engineer, Drummoyne; William Miller arid William Bray, both of Sydney: Theodore Anderson and John Gunderson of Surry Hills. .
The attack took place at night in a heavy sea 17 miles from the coast. The submarine, described as a large ocean-going type, surfaced close by. Captain Reid went to the end of the bridge and called to the Japanese that he was merely on a fishing cruise, and that his ship was unarmed. A feaw seconds, later shells were fired at the trawler at point blank range. One shell carried away most of the bridge. McPherson was seen running along the deck to get the lifeboat launched, and was followed by other members of the crew. A heavy machine gun opened fire on the men around the boats. Further attempts the boat were abandoned, and McPherson and Scoble were seen to drop to the deck. After circling round the trawler the submarine disappeared, but returned a quarter of an hour later and fired a few more shells. Inhabitants of a fishing town could see the gun flashes and hear the guns. Although shells had gone right through the hull the trawler still floated, and some hours later another trawler from the fishing town performed a splendid piece of rescue work, ferrying , the wounded men across to the rescue vessel in a dinghy. The heavy sea prevented the rescue vessel from running alongside the stricken trawler. Those who saw the bodies of McPherson and Scoble said that they were riddled with bullets. A member of the crew interviewed to-day said that the attack was "cold blooded murder." "The nets were out, and we were a sitting shot," he said. "We had no weapon with which to fight back, no warning that we were being attacked and no possibility of escape' once the steam pipe was hit. You can imagine the scene of confusion after the first shell hit us. A fire started, and members of the crew rushing about on deck must have been an excellent target for the machine gunners on the submarine. Those of us who escaped were all very thankful to get ashore, and can speak only in the highest praise for the courage of the police and others who came to our rescue.
EASY PREY FOR SUBMARINE
Trawler Hit Off East Coast
Two men were killed and four Injured— one seriously — when a Japanese submarine attacked a 200-ton trawler off the east coast of Australia recently. The vessel was hit by twelve shells, but still remained afloat. Sailors attempting to reach their lifeboat were machine-gunned by Japanese sailors. Those killed were Archibald McPherson, a New Zealander, and Arthurt Scoble, an Englishman. The wounded were:— George Reid, chief engineer, of Mortdale; Thomas Alexander Reid, mate, of Mortdale; Frank Temple, fireman, Glebe Point; Laurence Wilson, radio operator. Captain William Reid. Rozelle, was treated for shock.
Also treated for shock were Jack Reid, second engineer, Drummoyne; William Miller arid William Bray, both of Sydney: Theodore Anderson and John Gunderson of Surry Hills. .
The attack took place at night in a heavy sea 17 miles from the coast. The submarine, described as a large ocean-going type, surfaced close by. Captain Reid went to the end of the bridge and called to the Japanese that he was merely on a fishing cruise, and that his ship was unarmed. A feaw seconds, later shells were fired at the trawler at point blank range. One shell carried away most of the bridge. McPherson was seen running along the deck to get the lifeboat launched, and was followed by other members of the crew. A heavy machine gun opened fire on the men around the boats. Further attempts the boat were abandoned, and McPherson and Scoble were seen to drop to the deck. After circling round the trawler the submarine disappeared, but returned a quarter of an hour later and fired a few more shells. Inhabitants of a fishing town could see the gun flashes and hear the guns. Although shells had gone right through the hull the trawler still floated, and some hours later another trawler from the fishing town performed a splendid piece of rescue work, ferrying , the wounded men across to the rescue vessel in a dinghy. The heavy sea prevented the rescue vessel from running alongside the stricken trawler. Those who saw the bodies of McPherson and Scoble said that they were riddled with bullets. A member of the crew interviewed to-day said that the attack was "cold blooded murder." "The nets were out, and we were a sitting shot," he said. "We had no weapon with which to fight back, no warning that we were being attacked and no possibility of escape' once the steam pipe was hit. You can imagine the scene of confusion after the first shell hit us. A fire started, and members of the crew rushing about on deck must have been an excellent target for the machine gunners on the submarine. Those of us who escaped were all very thankful to get ashore, and can speak only in the highest praise for the courage of the police and others who came to our rescue.
Chief Officer Alexander REID
Born: Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland
Australian Merchant Navy
Died - Moruya Hospital, Moruya, N.S.W.5-8-1942, aged 51years
Son of Peter and Jean Reid
Husband of Jean Reid, of Mortdale.
Resting: Moruya Cemetery, Moruya, New South Wales
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland
Australian Merchant Navy
Died - Moruya Hospital, Moruya, N.S.W.5-8-1942, aged 51years
Son of Peter and Jean Reid
Husband of Jean Reid, of Mortdale.
Resting: Moruya Cemetery, Moruya, New South Wales
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Able Seaman Arthur John SCOBLE
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 3-8-1942 at Sea, aged 52years
Son of George Fudge Scoble and Caroline Scoble
Husband of Ann Amelia Scoble, of Cardiff, Wales.
Resting: Moruya Cemetery, Moruya, New South Wales
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 3-8-1942 at Sea, aged 52years
Son of George Fudge Scoble and Caroline Scoble
Husband of Ann Amelia Scoble, of Cardiff, Wales.
Resting: Moruya Cemetery, Moruya, New South Wales
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
"Moruya Bush Memorial - former RAAF Bunkers - Donnelly Drive Moruya opposite Moruya Airport turn off"