Mediterranean Duties

Artist Frank Norton (1916-1983)

Publisher Royal Australian Navy (Printing)

Date1986

Object number00036041

NamePoster

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 500 x 340 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Brendan Jackson

Terms

DescriptionPoster of original artwork of the Australian Grimsby class sloop HMAS PARRAMATTA at the Suez Canal in 1941. The ship is shown in dazzle (camouflage) colours. PARRAMATTA was providing supplies to troops at Tobruk when it was torpedoed and sunk in November 1941. The original painting by Frank Norton is held by the Australian War Memorial. This poster is part of a set produced for Navy's 75th Anniversary celebrations in 1986.HistoryHMAS PARRAMATTA was laid down at Cockatoo Dockyards in 1938 and was commissioned in April 1940. During her short time at sea, PARRAMATTA served as a convoy escort. While re-supplying Allied troops at Tobruk during the North Africa campaign, PARRAMATTA was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Only 24 of her crew of 150 were rescued by HMS AVONVALE. Frank Norton was appointed an official war artist by the Australian War Memorial in 1941. He was sent to different theatres of war to document the Australian military presence and was commissioned to produce artworks of his observations. Before his appointment, Norton had an established reputation as a maritime artist and he possessed a strong technical ability that enabled him to capture RAN ships faithfully.SignificanceThis poster is one of a series created to recognise the important role of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from its foundation in 1911. It represents a notable ship of the RAN that served during the North Africa campaign during World War II.