WW2 HMAS WESTRALIA PENNANT c
HISTORY
HMAS Westralia (F95/C61) was an auxillary cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built by Scottish shipbuilder Harland and Wolff and completed in 1929, Westralia was operated by the Huddart Parker company until 1939, when she was requisitioned for service with the RAN as an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC). Fitted with guns and commissioned in early 1940, Westralia was initially used to escort convoys in the Pacific and Indian oceans. In November 1940, the largest mutiny in RAN history occurred aboard the ship, with 104 men charged.
In 1943, Westralia was converted into a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI). The ship was used to transport units of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps, and took part in numerous amphibious landings in New Guinea and the Pacific. After being used to repatriate personnel at the end of the war, Westralia was decommissioned in 1946.
Item Description
Measuring approx 625mm long x 275mm wide at the top and made of Blue felt. Great condition for its age.