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
M.V. MACDHUI (Sydney)
WW2
WW2
The Japanese attacked the Macdhui on 16 June 1942, causing some damage and several casualties, and killing the ship's surgeon Dr C. Tunstall. The next day, the Japanese bombers returned and continued the attack, with several bombs hitting the vessel. Fires broke out and Captain J. Campbell, the ship's commander gave the order to abandon ship. The crew were evacuated with the help of three RAAF medical officers who had been watching the attack from the shore. Steward William Drury had been badly wounded during the attack and died of wounds the next day. Still on fire, the Macdhui drifted to the shallows where she grounded.
Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, N.S.W.) 28-7-1942
10 OF CREW OF MACDHUI WERE KILLED
Eight members of. the crew of the Burns Philp motor ship Macdhui were killed when Japanese bombs sank the vessel at Port Moresby, and later two more died from injuries.
Captain J. Campbell, the master, who was injured, and 62 other survivors have reached an Australian port. The ship was hit and damaged on two successive days. On the first day, June 17. three men of the crew were killed and one was fatally injured, and on June 18 five were killed outright and one was fatally injured.
THE KILLED
The list of killed included: Herbert Smith, about 55, steward.- William Barrett, about 42, steward.- Dr C. Tunstall (74), single, formerly of Chillagoe Hospital, ship's medical officer - J. Fiddes, about 64, ableseaman, married - Harry Rosen, about 40. steward, of Coogee, Sydney - James Lawson, about 48, butcher, married, who lived near Penrith, NSW - William Drury. first-grade steward, wounded on the second day and died in hospital at Port Moresby next day- H. Saville, member of the crew, aged about 50, injured on the first day and died later in Port Moresby. Among those injured -were Captain James Campbell, of Sydney, burns on the face and injuries to the arms and leg - Gordon Howe (36), chief officer, of North. Sydney. injuries tb the arms and legs- Richard Laws (73). steward, of Woy Woy, married, injuries to the arms and legs. - .
The Macdhui received four direct hits with heavy delayed-action bombs and was blazing from stem to stern when she sank. A young Port Moresby doctor went alongside the ship in a fast launch, climbed the side and daringly rescued a trapped and badly injured steward four minutes before the ship sank. The steward died later in hospital. Captain Campbell was thrown from the bridge to the next deck by the blast of a bomb hit and was for 16 days in hospital with shrapnel wounds in the arms and burns on the face and body.
CAPTAIN'S STORY
Captain Campbell in an interview at his home last 'night said: "We had unloaded most of our cargo and had anchored in the stream. The alarm sounded and at 9.45 a.m. about 18 Japanese planes came at us from about 18,000 to 20,000 feet. Near-misses lifted the ship out of the water like giant hands and dropped it back again. We were holed several times from these. The last Japanese bomb for the day struck the bridge 14 feet away from me. It cut through three steel decks and exploded in the saloon, killing the ship's doctor and two stewards. We put into the wharf that night to land the killed and wounded and the next day the Japanese came at us again, and made two direct hits on No. 3 hold, setting fire to the ship. Another direct hit wiped out the gun crew of five men. The next one got us on the bridge, and I was blown to the deck below.
CUT LEGS OFF TABLES
Benjamin Allen, purser, of Sydney, said that, in the first day's bombing, shrapnel cut legs off the dining tables in the saloon and pierced the sides of the ship. Eighteen bombers took part in the next 'day's attack. Rosen was blown from the poop deck into the water and picked up dead. Drury was blown off the deck into the air and then landed back on the deck. Allen said a fire started. in the ship and the crew was ordered to take to the boats. The vessel burned until the following night and finally drifted into a reef near a native village, where it was now resting on its side. All the cargo had been got ashore before the second attack.
10 OF CREW OF MACDHUI WERE KILLED
Eight members of. the crew of the Burns Philp motor ship Macdhui were killed when Japanese bombs sank the vessel at Port Moresby, and later two more died from injuries.
Captain J. Campbell, the master, who was injured, and 62 other survivors have reached an Australian port. The ship was hit and damaged on two successive days. On the first day, June 17. three men of the crew were killed and one was fatally injured, and on June 18 five were killed outright and one was fatally injured.
THE KILLED
The list of killed included: Herbert Smith, about 55, steward.- William Barrett, about 42, steward.- Dr C. Tunstall (74), single, formerly of Chillagoe Hospital, ship's medical officer - J. Fiddes, about 64, ableseaman, married - Harry Rosen, about 40. steward, of Coogee, Sydney - James Lawson, about 48, butcher, married, who lived near Penrith, NSW - William Drury. first-grade steward, wounded on the second day and died in hospital at Port Moresby next day- H. Saville, member of the crew, aged about 50, injured on the first day and died later in Port Moresby. Among those injured -were Captain James Campbell, of Sydney, burns on the face and injuries to the arms and leg - Gordon Howe (36), chief officer, of North. Sydney. injuries tb the arms and legs- Richard Laws (73). steward, of Woy Woy, married, injuries to the arms and legs. - .
The Macdhui received four direct hits with heavy delayed-action bombs and was blazing from stem to stern when she sank. A young Port Moresby doctor went alongside the ship in a fast launch, climbed the side and daringly rescued a trapped and badly injured steward four minutes before the ship sank. The steward died later in hospital. Captain Campbell was thrown from the bridge to the next deck by the blast of a bomb hit and was for 16 days in hospital with shrapnel wounds in the arms and burns on the face and body.
CAPTAIN'S STORY
Captain Campbell in an interview at his home last 'night said: "We had unloaded most of our cargo and had anchored in the stream. The alarm sounded and at 9.45 a.m. about 18 Japanese planes came at us from about 18,000 to 20,000 feet. Near-misses lifted the ship out of the water like giant hands and dropped it back again. We were holed several times from these. The last Japanese bomb for the day struck the bridge 14 feet away from me. It cut through three steel decks and exploded in the saloon, killing the ship's doctor and two stewards. We put into the wharf that night to land the killed and wounded and the next day the Japanese came at us again, and made two direct hits on No. 3 hold, setting fire to the ship. Another direct hit wiped out the gun crew of five men. The next one got us on the bridge, and I was blown to the deck below.
CUT LEGS OFF TABLES
Benjamin Allen, purser, of Sydney, said that, in the first day's bombing, shrapnel cut legs off the dining tables in the saloon and pierced the sides of the ship. Eighteen bombers took part in the next 'day's attack. Rosen was blown from the poop deck into the water and picked up dead. Drury was blown off the deck into the air and then landed back on the deck. Allen said a fire started. in the ship and the crew was ordered to take to the boats. The vessel burned until the following night and finally drifted into a reef near a native village, where it was now resting on its side. All the cargo had been got ashore before the second attack.
Steward 1st Class William John BARRITT
Born: London, England
Died of Injuries 17-6-1942, aged 38years
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of William Edward and Alice Marie Vanden Barritt
Husband of Olive Jessie Barritt, of Wilston, Queensland.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: London, England
Died of Injuries 17-6-1942, aged 38years
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of William Edward and Alice Marie Vanden Barritt
Husband of Olive Jessie Barritt, of Wilston, Queensland.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Steward 1st Class Wilfred George DRURY
Born: Godstone, Surrey, England
Died of Injuries 20-6-1942, aged 65years at Port Moresby Hospital, New Guinea
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of George James and Ellen Julia Drury
Husband of Edith Emila Drury.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Godstone, Surrey, England
Died of Injuries 20-6-1942, aged 65years at Port Moresby Hospital, New Guinea
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of George James and Ellen Julia Drury
Husband of Edith Emila Drury.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Able Seaman William FIDDES
Born: West Hartlepool, England
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 18-6-1942, aged 59years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: West Hartlepool, England
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 18-6-1942, aged 59years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Steward Bowman James LAWSON
Australian Merchant Navy
Died: 18-6-1942, aged 29years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Husband of Edna May Lawson, of Northbridge, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Australian Merchant Navy
Died: 18-6-1942, aged 29years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Husband of Edna May Lawson, of Northbridge, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
2nd Mate David Hamilton RAWSON
Born: Sydney, N.S.W.
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 18-6-1942, aged 27years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Son of Henry Foord & Constance Ellen Hamilton Rawson, of Sydney, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea - Panel 10
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Sydney, N.S.W.
Australian Merchant Navy
Died 18-6-1942, aged 27years - Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Son of Henry Foord & Constance Ellen Hamilton Rawson, of Sydney, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea - Panel 10
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Butcher Arthur Thomas RICHARDS M.M.
Born: London, England
Australian Merchant Navy
Formerly C.Q.M.S. 56th Bn. A.I.F. 1914-1918
Died: 18-6-1942 aged 51years
Son of William and Ellen Richards
Husband of Mildred Richards, of Cranebrook, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea - Panel 10
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: London, England
Australian Merchant Navy
Formerly C.Q.M.S. 56th Bn. A.I.F. 1914-1918
Died: 18-6-1942 aged 51years
Son of William and Ellen Richards
Husband of Mildred Richards, of Cranebrook, New South Wales.
Honoured: Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea - Panel 10
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Waiter Henry ROSEN
Born: Redfern, N.S.W.
Died 18-6-1942 at Sea, aged 31years
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of Samuel and Rebecca Rosen
Husband of Mignon Shiba Rosen, of Rose Bay, New South Wales.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Redfern, N.S.W.
Died 18-6-1942 at Sea, aged 31years
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of Samuel and Rebecca Rosen
Husband of Mignon Shiba Rosen, of Rose Bay, New South Wales.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
The Hebrew Standard of Australasia (Sydney, N.S.W.) 25-6-1942
ROSEN.-- On June 18, 1942, result of enemy action, Henry aged 31, years beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Rosen, of Windsor Court, Gould Street, Bondi, beloved brother of Jack (deceased), Kitty, Vera, Rose, Albert (A.I.F. abroad) Mannie (R.A.A.F.), Woolfie (A.I.F.)
Steward 1st Class Richard Herbert SAVILLE
Born: Ireland
Died 22-6-1942, aged 54years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of Edward and Martha Saville
Husband of Violet May Saville, of Blacktown, New South Wales.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Ireland
Died 22-6-1942, aged 54years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of Edward and Martha Saville
Husband of Violet May Saville, of Blacktown, New South Wales.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
KILLED AT MORESBY
MERCHANT SEAMAN.
When the Japs bombed and wrecked the Macdhui at Port Moresby, a Blacktown Merchant seaman, Richard Herbert Saville, was mortally wounded. When his grief-stricken wife talked with the Shire Patriotic Fund: secretary (Mr. Stewart), she suggested that shire men serving with the merchant navy should be included in the Fund benefits. After the suggestion had been discussed at the last meeting of the committee, it was unanimously adopted. "I believe we are the first patriotic fund to include merchant seamen in our list of beneficiaries," Mr. Stewart said this week.
Mr. Saville's name, and those of any other merchant seaman who may die as the result of enemy action, will be written in our Book of Remembrance,"he added.
The Sydney Morning Herald (N.S.W.) 22-6-1943
SAVILLE -A loving tribute to memory of my dear husband Richard Herbert (Bert) merchant navy died of wounds result enemy action S S Macdhui Port Moresby June 22 1942. Interred Bomana War Cemetery Moresby Sadly missed by his wife Violet of Blacktown late Lane Cove.
MERCHANT SEAMAN.
When the Japs bombed and wrecked the Macdhui at Port Moresby, a Blacktown Merchant seaman, Richard Herbert Saville, was mortally wounded. When his grief-stricken wife talked with the Shire Patriotic Fund: secretary (Mr. Stewart), she suggested that shire men serving with the merchant navy should be included in the Fund benefits. After the suggestion had been discussed at the last meeting of the committee, it was unanimously adopted. "I believe we are the first patriotic fund to include merchant seamen in our list of beneficiaries," Mr. Stewart said this week.
Mr. Saville's name, and those of any other merchant seaman who may die as the result of enemy action, will be written in our Book of Remembrance,"he added.
The Sydney Morning Herald (N.S.W.) 22-6-1943
SAVILLE -A loving tribute to memory of my dear husband Richard Herbert (Bert) merchant navy died of wounds result enemy action S S Macdhui Port Moresby June 22 1942. Interred Bomana War Cemetery Moresby Sadly missed by his wife Violet of Blacktown late Lane Cove.
1st Steward Herbert Christopher SMITH
Born: Kent, England
Died 17-6-1942 aged 60years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Husband of Lallah Smith, of Rose Bay, New South Wales.
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Born: Kent, England
Died 17-6-1942 aged 60years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Husband of Lallah Smith, of Rose Bay, New South Wales.
Resting: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Surgeon Charles Augustus TUNSTALL
Killed in Action 17-6-1942, aged 66 years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of George Christie Tunstall and Ann Morgan Tunstall.
Graduate in Medicine and Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll
Killed in Action 17-6-1942, aged 66 years, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Son of George Christie Tunstall and Ann Morgan Tunstall.
Graduate in Medicine and Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll