Lot 4512

Description

Group of Four to Died in Shipboard Accident: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The first two medals unnamed, sailor not entitled to first two medals, P. A. 4702 K. J. Mills on last two medals. The named medals impressed. A few marks on third medal and some hairlines on last two medals, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Keith James Mills, lathe operator, age 18, born at Alberton, Sth Aust; Enl.02Oct1941 in Army (S.115073); Disch.10May1944 ex 1 AASC for re-enlistment in RAN; Re-Enl.19Jun1944 at Port Adelaide, Sth Aust in RAN (P.A. 4702); died when swept overboard 11Feb1945 while serving as Ordinary Seaman on the destroyer, HMAS Nizam; commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon, England; Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT; Cape Leeuwin "N" Class Destroyers Association Memorial Wall and Cairn, Cape Leeuwin, Augusta, Western Australia; remembered as a valued and popular member of the Catholic Young Men's Society, Alberton Branch and following his loss a resolution of sympathy was conveyed by letter to his sorrowing parents and fiancee.^^The N Class destroyer, HMAS Nizam was steaming from Melbourne to Fremantle on a moonless night on 11 February 1945 when tragedy struck at about 2215 hours. The seas were heavy and when the ship struck a freak wave and rolled very heavily ten men were swept overboard about 11 nautical miles off Cape Leeuwin. Despite the ship circling for a long period, all of those swept overboard died including Ord Seaman Keith James Mills.^^With copy of Service Files, colour photo of H.M.A.S. Leeuwin, and colour photos of memorials, and other research.