Lot 5122

Description

RAN, sailor's cap tally bands for H.M.A.S. Canberra and H.M.A.S. Perth, both original WWII period issues that have been worn, not modern issues. Very fine. (2)

Together with small booklet for 'A service of worship with the HMAS Perth Association at the Naval Chapel, Garden Island, Sunday 1 March 2009'.



HMAS Canberra was a heavy cruiser severely damaged on 9 August 1942 at the Battle of Savo Island. Unable to propel herself, she was evacuated and sunk in Ironbottom Sound by two American destroyers. Later, a USN Baltimore class cruiser was named USS Canberra in her honour and is the only USN vessel named in honour of a foreign warship or capital city.



HMAS Perth was a modified Leander class light cruiser sunk in Februay 1942 at the Battle of Sunda Strait. There were 681 crew and of these, 353 were killed in action and of the survivors, all but four became POWs, with 106 of these dying as prisoners.