HMAS Sydney II

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The Australian reports a survivor from the WW2 sinking of HMAS Sydney with the loss of all hands, has been located in a grave in Christmas Island. Us Gilletts have a long association with HMAS Sydney. Two of my Great Uncles witnessed the first Sydney sinking the Emden in WW1, my father served on the second Sydney during WW2 and I returned home from my war (Vietnam) on the third Sydney. Just over a year ago I posted on my father’s time on the Sydney and his very lucky escape from a watery grave. The ‘survivor’ exhumed at Christmas Island is not recent news. All investigations into the loss of the cruiser make note of a body found in a RAN life raft at Christmas Island but in the days before DNA identifciation little could be gained from the body. Without evidence, the RAN never listed the body as a sailor from the Sydney. Today it should be different and at least one family of the 645 lost can hopefully gain closure. In this case, the family may have already been identified.
TED McGowan thought he was going to take it all in his stride. Then on Tuesday evening, the call came from Canberra; the final resting place of the unknown sailor had been unearthed on remote Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

John Perryman, the Royal Australian Navy historian, told him a forensic team was dusting off the skeletal remains of what may be the only physical link to Australia’s worst maritime disaster, the sinking of HMAS Sydney in November 1941 off Western Australia.

It may also turn out to be Mr McGowan’s brother Tom. “I feel exhausted,” Mr McGowan admitted yesterday. “I thought I would be able to handle it, but I was completely overcome.” He has been the driving force behind the navy-led expedition to Christmas Island.
Two issues give Mr McGowan hope: a good set of teeth and a canvas shoe. When the body was examined by the island doctor on or about February 6, 1942, the corpse had a “perfect set of teeth”, as did Tom McGowan, a rarity in those days, and a shoe in the raft had “McCowan” or “McEwan” branded on it. I hope it works out for you, Ted
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One comment

  • PQ
    Thursday, 5 Oct 06 at 12:38

    I recall seeing that bullet riddled Carley Float life raft in the Australian War Memorial when I was youngster many years ago, and I have never lost my curiosity about what happened to HMAS Sydney all those years ago.
    The WA Maritime Museum has recently received a government grant to conduct more research into the location of the Sydney, possibly off Carnarvon WA.
    Let us hope that the DNA and the positive identification can fit another tiny piece of the puzzle in place.

    Lest We Forget.