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. WOLLONGBAR (Sydney)
WW2
WW2
The SS Wollongbar departed Byron Bay on April 28, 1943 with a cargo of butter and bacon. It was torpedoed the next day by a Japanese submarine north of Point Plomer and sank.
M - Y
Daily Examiner (Grafton, N.S.W.) 22-11-1945
S.S. Wollongbar Sunk
By Torpedoes
(BY W. J. MASON, CHIEF OFFICER OF S.S. WOLLONGBAR.)
S.S. Wollongbar left Byron Bay, New South Wales, for Sydney about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 1943. We had a cargo, of butter, sugar and bacon. It was 10.15 a.m. when I poured myself a cup of tea in the wireless room, but instead of sitting down and having it in comfort I went out on the bridge and joined the skipper. I never got a chance to drink the tea as a voice in Scotch accent bawled out, "Look out, sub."
We gazed seaward and saw a conning tower in a big swirl of water, not more . than 500 yards away. A torpedo was already on its way. You could both hear and see it, as it appeared to be coming at us very erratically, jumping and zig-zagging. The skipper bawled, "Look out for yourselves, boys." He went down the port ladder. The look out man also left the bridge. Roy Brown, A.B., remained, at the wheel. I tried to push the automatic alarm in the wheel house, but as I did so the torpedo struck us just forward of the bridge with a terrific thud. Roy Brown hurried down the starboard ladder. I hung on to the bridge dodger ridge rope to see what was going to happen. I then noticed another torpedo coming from the same angle. I moved across the bridge holding, on to the ridge rope, thinking starboard would be the high side, when the ship suddenly exploded with a thunderous crash. I came to swimming in the water, but it seemed to be getting darker instead of lighter, when all of a sudden I was breathing fresh air and seeing daylight again. One of the survivors informed me later on in hospital that I shot out of the water like a jack-in-the-box. I endeavoured to secure a piece of flotsam, which I remember, was a case of butter. With its aid I reached a lifebuoy, but if some one had offered me the first prize in a lottery I could not get into it by the right method. I was scared stiff to sink under it, and had not strength to put my arms over it and throw it over my head. So I just put one arm around it, treaded water for awhile and hoped for the best. Fortunately, I was not far away from one of the lifeboats. I made my way to it and held with grim determination on to the beckets below its broken gunwale, having a fair rest before attempting to pull myself into the boat, which was full of water. I recognised Frank Emson, greaser, laying across the bow.
He murmured, "I cannot help you." I well knew that he could not. If ever a chap fought to live, it was Emson.
The skin was hanging from his hands and fingers. He wanted a drink, but his lips were swollen. His eyes were closed most of the time. The smoke and mist were slowly rolling away. A Yank bomber was flying low. Much to my delight I noticed a raft paddling towards us. On it I recognised the only two sailors saved, Roy Brown, who had been at the wheel, and Pat Tehan. They were hale and hearty."Where do we go from here?" they asked. But when they saw Frank Emson I noticed a depressed feeling getting hold of them.We decided to lift Emson from the boat and place him on the raft, which was in perfect condition. There was no life visible anywhere. We came across several rafts, but they did not appear to have anyone aboard. The raft with Emson was tied astern. Soon we sighted a man on a raft waving a piece of whitewood. We shipped the oars the best way possible and went after him. He proved to be Fireman Blinkhorn, of Lane Cove. This man had a miraculous escape. When we picked him up his clothes were still dry. He told us that he was thrown by the explosion out of a bunker and landed on a raft in the condition we found him, quite happy and unhurt. Blinkhorn was put on the raft to look after Emson, and his own raft cast adrift. As we had frequent visits from various types of planes we knew that our position was known and that assistance would come. One plane kept signalling us to that effect, and we answered O.K. by semaphore. We searched two other rafts which were near at hand for survivors, and kept in the middle of thousands of cases of butter float-about, but because of a slight swell with an occasional white rip or break the chances were very small, for after searching in vain for about an hour and a half, I suggested to my companions that if they were satisfied there were no more men alive or dead to be seen we should endeavour to reach land before dark.We thus pulled for the shore in a boat which had several damaged planks missing.We considered our chances of getting ashore before dark were very poor, although our pull was less than six miles. -We still had another two miles to go when we were picked up at 3.45 p.m. by Tom and Claude Radleigh, fishermen, with their launch X.L.C R. Emson was taken from the raft and put to bed. No time was to be lost if we were to reach port before dark. No cup of tea ever tasted better than the one the crew of the fishing launch made us. It was just sunset when we crossed the bar at Port Macquarie. The Red Cross had made arrangements to receive a far bigger complement than five survivors.
Emson was rushed to hospital,and the remaining four were given a bath and dry clothes,and then examined by a doctor.
The V.A.D.'s were wonderful to us; I soon joined Emson in hospital, suffering minor injuries and shock. The two sailors and one fireman were allowed to return to Sydney after a good night's rest.Before leaving hospital ten days later, I had the pleasure of knowing that Emson's sight would not be effected, and that he was well on the way to recovery. No bodies were ever recovered of the other 34 men of the ship's complement.
S.S. Wollongbar Sunk
By Torpedoes
(BY W. J. MASON, CHIEF OFFICER OF S.S. WOLLONGBAR.)
S.S. Wollongbar left Byron Bay, New South Wales, for Sydney about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 1943. We had a cargo, of butter, sugar and bacon. It was 10.15 a.m. when I poured myself a cup of tea in the wireless room, but instead of sitting down and having it in comfort I went out on the bridge and joined the skipper. I never got a chance to drink the tea as a voice in Scotch accent bawled out, "Look out, sub."
We gazed seaward and saw a conning tower in a big swirl of water, not more . than 500 yards away. A torpedo was already on its way. You could both hear and see it, as it appeared to be coming at us very erratically, jumping and zig-zagging. The skipper bawled, "Look out for yourselves, boys." He went down the port ladder. The look out man also left the bridge. Roy Brown, A.B., remained, at the wheel. I tried to push the automatic alarm in the wheel house, but as I did so the torpedo struck us just forward of the bridge with a terrific thud. Roy Brown hurried down the starboard ladder. I hung on to the bridge dodger ridge rope to see what was going to happen. I then noticed another torpedo coming from the same angle. I moved across the bridge holding, on to the ridge rope, thinking starboard would be the high side, when the ship suddenly exploded with a thunderous crash. I came to swimming in the water, but it seemed to be getting darker instead of lighter, when all of a sudden I was breathing fresh air and seeing daylight again. One of the survivors informed me later on in hospital that I shot out of the water like a jack-in-the-box. I endeavoured to secure a piece of flotsam, which I remember, was a case of butter. With its aid I reached a lifebuoy, but if some one had offered me the first prize in a lottery I could not get into it by the right method. I was scared stiff to sink under it, and had not strength to put my arms over it and throw it over my head. So I just put one arm around it, treaded water for awhile and hoped for the best. Fortunately, I was not far away from one of the lifeboats. I made my way to it and held with grim determination on to the beckets below its broken gunwale, having a fair rest before attempting to pull myself into the boat, which was full of water. I recognised Frank Emson, greaser, laying across the bow.
He murmured, "I cannot help you." I well knew that he could not. If ever a chap fought to live, it was Emson.
The skin was hanging from his hands and fingers. He wanted a drink, but his lips were swollen. His eyes were closed most of the time. The smoke and mist were slowly rolling away. A Yank bomber was flying low. Much to my delight I noticed a raft paddling towards us. On it I recognised the only two sailors saved, Roy Brown, who had been at the wheel, and Pat Tehan. They were hale and hearty."Where do we go from here?" they asked. But when they saw Frank Emson I noticed a depressed feeling getting hold of them.We decided to lift Emson from the boat and place him on the raft, which was in perfect condition. There was no life visible anywhere. We came across several rafts, but they did not appear to have anyone aboard. The raft with Emson was tied astern. Soon we sighted a man on a raft waving a piece of whitewood. We shipped the oars the best way possible and went after him. He proved to be Fireman Blinkhorn, of Lane Cove. This man had a miraculous escape. When we picked him up his clothes were still dry. He told us that he was thrown by the explosion out of a bunker and landed on a raft in the condition we found him, quite happy and unhurt. Blinkhorn was put on the raft to look after Emson, and his own raft cast adrift. As we had frequent visits from various types of planes we knew that our position was known and that assistance would come. One plane kept signalling us to that effect, and we answered O.K. by semaphore. We searched two other rafts which were near at hand for survivors, and kept in the middle of thousands of cases of butter float-about, but because of a slight swell with an occasional white rip or break the chances were very small, for after searching in vain for about an hour and a half, I suggested to my companions that if they were satisfied there were no more men alive or dead to be seen we should endeavour to reach land before dark.We thus pulled for the shore in a boat which had several damaged planks missing.We considered our chances of getting ashore before dark were very poor, although our pull was less than six miles. -We still had another two miles to go when we were picked up at 3.45 p.m. by Tom and Claude Radleigh, fishermen, with their launch X.L.C R. Emson was taken from the raft and put to bed. No time was to be lost if we were to reach port before dark. No cup of tea ever tasted better than the one the crew of the fishing launch made us. It was just sunset when we crossed the bar at Port Macquarie. The Red Cross had made arrangements to receive a far bigger complement than five survivors.
Emson was rushed to hospital,and the remaining four were given a bath and dry clothes,and then examined by a doctor.
The V.A.D.'s were wonderful to us; I soon joined Emson in hospital, suffering minor injuries and shock. The two sailors and one fireman were allowed to return to Sydney after a good night's rest.Before leaving hospital ten days later, I had the pleasure of knowing that Emson's sight would not be effected, and that he was well on the way to recovery. No bodies were ever recovered of the other 34 men of the ship's complement.
Able Seaman Neil MacDOUGALL
Born: Mull, Argylshire, Scotland Date of Engagement 6-10-1939, Sydney, N.S.W. Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 52years Son of Julia MacDougall Husband of Margaret Jane MacDougall, of Randwick, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 9 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
Able Seaman Donald MacKINNON
Born: Scotland Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 48years Husband of Winifred MacFarlane MacKinnon, of Drummoyne, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 9 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll The Sydney Morning Herald (N.S.W.) 15-5-1943
MacKINNON -April 29 result of enemy action Dónald dearly beloved husband of Winifred Macfarlane MacKinnon of Drummoyne, and loving father of Margaret (Mrs G. Lane of Melbourne) Dorothy ond Alison. Thy will be done |
Fireman Clarence Mancell MARTIN
Born: Albany, Western Australia Date of Engagement 23-11-1939, Sydney, N.S.W. Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 44years Son of Mansell and Sarah Martin Husband of Ruby Martin, of Darlington, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 10 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
Chief Cook William McLEAN
Born: Locherbie, Scotland Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 55years Son of Alexander & Elizabeth McLean Husband of Helen Mary McLean, Narabeen, N.S.W. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 9 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll The Sydney Morning Herald (N.S.W.) 19-5-1943
McLEAN.—April 29 1943 lost at sea William loving husband of Helen Mary and fondest father of Hugh, William, Kenneth and Leonora aged 55 years. |
Second Engineer Officer Charles Holmes Clargo MILLS
Born: Balmain, New South Wales
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 57years
Son of James Clargo Mills and Harriet Mills
Husband of Eileen Mills, of Lane Cove, New South Wales.
Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 8
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Balmain, New South Wales
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 57years
Son of James Clargo Mills and Harriet Mills
Husband of Eileen Mills, of Lane Cove, New South Wales.
Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 8
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Fireman Patrick MULLEN
Born: Liverpool, New South Wales Date of Engagement 6-1-1939, Sydney, N.S.W. Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 48years Husband of Eva Mullen, of Annandale, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 10 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
Fireman Frank Hall NEILL
Also known as Francis Hall Neill Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland Date of Engagement 18-1-1942, Sydney N.S.W. Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 33years Son of Edmund and Susan Neill Husband of Florence Isobel Neill, of Summer Hill, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 10 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
2nd Mate Owen SARGENT
Born: Hereford, England Date of Engagement 11-1-1942, London, England Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 58years Husband of Catherine Sargent, of St. Peters, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 8 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
The Sydney Morning Herald (N.S.W.) 19-6-1943
SARGENT -April 29 1943 missing result of enemy action Captain Owen merchant navy dearly loved husband of Catherine and loved father of Oss, Marie (Mrs Cartwright) Mavis (Mrs Norman) Jem (Mrs Pearce) Allen (A I F ) Heather and Elaine Sadly missed.
SARGENT -April 29 1943 missing result of enemy action Captain Owen merchant navy dearly loved husband of Catherine and loved father of Oss, Marie (Mrs Cartwright) Mavis (Mrs Norman) Jem (Mrs Pearce) Allen (A I F ) Heather and Elaine Sadly missed.
Fireman Sidney Victor SURRY
Born: London, England Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 39years Son of Arthur and Maria Surry Husband of Florence Amelia Surry, of Belmore, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 10 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
Fireman Frederick WATSON
Born: Sudbury, England Date of Engagement 15-6-1940, Sydney, N.S.W. Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 45years Husband of Mary Annie Watson, of Belmore, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 10 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll |
Able Seaman Dennis Franz WHITE
Born: Collinsville, Tasmania Date of Engagement 28-6-1940, Sydney, N.S.W. Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 29years Son of Frank and Clarebell Locklend White, of Hobart, Tasmania. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 9 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll. |
Cook Robert YOUNG
Born: Edinburgh, Scotland Australian Merchant Navy Died 29-4-1943 at sea aged 61years Son of William and Christina Young Husband of Annie Young, of Sydney, New South Wales. Honoured: Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales - Panel 9 Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll. |