Images(2)

Naval Association of Australia pin

Maker Naval Association of Australia

Date1921-1976

Object number00056315

NamePin

MediumMetal

DimensionsOverall: 38 × 21 × 7 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Anne Marie Ingham and Becky Ingham-Broomfield

Terms

DescriptionMetal pin of the Naval Association of Australia emblem belonging to Dudley Charles NorthamHistoryDudley Charles Northam was the commissioning officer and first commanding officer assigned to the Bathurst-class minesweeper HMAS COLAC. COLAC was built at Mort's Dock and Engineering Co in Sydney, and commissioned into the RAN on 6 January 1942. The minesweeper's first mission was to transport Allied troops to Papua New Guinea in December 1942. This was followed by escort and patrol duties off the Australian coast, as well as between Australia and Papua New Guinea. In April and May 1945, COLAC participated in shore bombardment against targets in the Wewak area of Papua New Guinea, including Muschu Island, Kairisu Island, Cape Samier and Wewak. It subsequently deployed to the Solomon Islands and took part in operations to prevent Japanese troops on Choiseul Island from evacuating to Bougainville. Following cessation of hostilities, COLAC served as a training ship and later as a tank cleaning vessel. Its final role was as a target, and it was sunk by a torpedo fired by the Oberon-class submarine HMAS OVENS in March 1987. Northam's other service vessels included HMAS WESTRALIA, HMAS DOOMBA and HMAS WAREGO II. SignificanceThe Dudley Charles Northam collection relates to his naval career during the Second World War when he was an officer with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (Sea-going) [RANR(S)].