The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
At sea. c. October 1944. Captain (Capt) Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux (Dishy) on the quarterdeck of HMAS AUSTRALIA on its voyage to the Philippines, prior to the battle of Leyte Gulf. Capt Dechaineux, with the aid of large maps, pointers and an address system, is providing the ship's company with an update on the war in their theatre of operations. Capt Dechaineux graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1919. He had periods of service with both the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Navy (RN) prior to and during the Second World War. While with the RN he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for destroying German E-boats after Dunkirk. Returning to Australia he took part in the Gasmata bombardment while commanding officer of HMAS Warramunga. In March 1944 he assumed command of HMAS Australia and took part in the Hollandia landings and the bombardment of Wakde and Aitape, and the landings at Biak, Noemfoor and Morotai. Capt Dechaineux died of wounds received during the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines on the 21 October 1944 when a Japanese kamikaze aircraft struck the ship's foremast resulting in fires on the bridge. Capt Dechaineux was posthumously awarded the American Legion of Merit in the Degree of Officer. More recently, in 1990, it was announced that a Collins Class submarine to be built at the Australian Submarine Corporation in South Australia was to be named HMAS Dechaineux. (Donor. P. Dechaineux)
Captain (Capt) Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux (Dishy) on the quarterdeck of HMAS Australia on its voyage to the Philippines, prior to the battle of Leyte Gulf. Capt Dechaineux, with the aid of large
Portrait of Captain (Capt) Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux, RAN. Capt Dechaineux graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1919. He had periods of service with both the Royal Australian Nav
South West Pacific Area. Forward 8 inch turrets of HMAS Australia searching for the enemy. The heavy cruiser's Commanding Officer, Captain (Capt) E. F. V. Dechaineux DSC, RAN is on the bridge. Capt De
AUSTRALIA, 1939-1944. STUDIO PORTRAIT OF LIEUTENANT (LT) GRAHAM JAMES GREIG, RAN, WHO SERVED ABOARD HMAS AUSTRALIA. LT GREIG DIED OF WOUNDS ON 1944-10-23, AFTER A JAPANESE DIVE BOMBER HAD DELIBERATELY
Studio portrait of PM7168 Ordinary Seaman (OS) Richard Southey Hookins, HMAS Australia, of Elsternwick, Victoria. An insurance clerk prior to enlistment, Hookins enlisted on 9 November 1943. On 21 Oct
Australia Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Alan Walter Lade was born at Scottsdale, Tasmania, on 5 October 1924. He was working as a flax mill hand when he travelled to
