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. HANYANG
WW2
WW2
The SS Hanyang, a 2987 ton defensively equipped merchant ship (DEMS), was operated by the United States Army. Its officer's were British, its deck crew Australian, and its gunners United States Army personnel. It was armed with a twelve pound gun on the stern and an Oerlikon gun on both wings of the bridge. On the afternoon of 11 April 1943, while enroute from Milne Bay to Oro Bay, New Guinea, with a cargo of ammunition, fuel and coal, the Hanyang and escort vessels were attacked by twelve Japanese dive bombers. The Hanyang was hit by two bombs and raked with machine gun and cannon fire. Both bombs pierced the upper decks then exploded, causing moderate damage, starting several fires, and disabling the steering gear. Edwin Southan, a trimmer, was killed and was subsequently buried at Oro Bay. Five other crewmen were injured. This piece of shrapnel came from one of the bombs. It was picked up by Able Seaman Alan Wickow, an Australian crewman aboard the vessel when the incident occurred.
Trimmer Edwin Gustave SOUTHAN
Born: Kensington, N.S.W.
Died at Sea 11-4-1943 aged 22years, at sea (Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea)
Son of Laurence Cyril and Jannie Eliza Southan, of Kensington, New South Wales.
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Kensington, N.S.W.
Died at Sea 11-4-1943 aged 22years, at sea (Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea)
Son of Laurence Cyril and Jannie Eliza Southan, of Kensington, New South Wales.
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
The Sydney Morning Herald 1-5-1943
SOUTHAN -April 11 result of enemy action Merchant Navy. Edwin, dearly beloved only son of Mr. and Mrs L. C. Southan, l8 Anzac parade Kensington, brother of Jean, Beryl, Valda, and Laurel, aged 22 years.
Duty nobly done.
SOUTHAN -April 11 result of enemy action Merchant Navy. Edwin, dearly beloved only son of Mr. and Mrs L. C. Southan, l8 Anzac parade Kensington, brother of Jean, Beryl, Valda, and Laurel, aged 22 years.
Duty nobly done.