HMAS GLENELG at Buru, Ceram, October 1945

Subject or historical figure Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook (1907 - 1995)

Date1945

Object numberANMS0296[001]

NamePhotograph

MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from L Whitebrook

Terms

HistoryCommissioned at Sydney on 16 November 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Alfred F Summerfield RANR(S). Early months of career were spent escorting convoys from Queensland ports to New Guinea. In May 1943 she began operating as escort for Sydney to Brisbane convoys. In January 1944 GLENELG returned to the New Guinea area and remained there in constant service on patrol and escort duties until the end of the year. In the early period she operated on patrol off Milne Bay and the entrance to China Strait and later escorted shipping to Langemak, Manus, Saidor, Morotai, Hollandia, Madang and Cape Gloucester. A considerable period was spent on patrol in Dutch New Guinea waters. Since the Allied forces were at this period in control of the sea and air in the New Guinea area, most of the period passed without action. Nevertheless, in October 1944 GLENELG was able to render signal aid to a sorely harassed American patrol at the mouth of the Woske River near Maffin Bay, Dutch New Guinea. In December 1944 GLENELG returned to Australia and arrived at Melbourne on 2 January 1945 to commence a refit, which was completed in February. On 16 March she departed Sydney for Manus to resume operational duty. The remainder of the period to the close of hostilities was taken up chiefly by escort of Morotai and Biak convoys. In early August she escorted a convoy to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and spent some time in the Borneo area. On 12 August, three days before hostilities ended, GLENELG entered Darwin Harbour. In September GLENELG took part in the reoccupation of Ambon and remained in the Celebes area during the following month. On 1 November she departed Ambon for Fremantle, via Morotai, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne and finally Glenelg, after which she had been named. GLENELG paid off into Reserve at Fremantle on 14 January 1946.