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The service of MV BULOLO in WWII as HMS BULOLO
The service of MV BULOLO in WWII as HMS BULOLO

The service of MV BULOLO in WWII as HMS BULOLO

Maker (Australian, 1884 - 2006)
Date1946-1956
Object number00018171
NamePlaque
MediumEngraved patinated copper alloy
DimensionsOverall: 607 mm, 11 kg
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Burns, Philp & Company Limited
DescriptionIn 1939 the Australian Burns, Philp & Company vessel MV BULOLO was commissioned into Royal Navy as HMS BULOLO. This plaque commemorates its WWII war service first as an armed merchant cruiser protecting convoys in the Atlantic, from November 1939 to April 1942, and then has a Landing Ship Headquarters (LSH) from November 1942 to May 1945. As a LSH it was involved in the Allied invasions of Algiers, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy and Malaysia. In January 1943 it was the communications ship for the Casablanca conference between Churchill and Roosevelt. On 7 September 1943 it was at the surrender of Japanese forces in Singapore. Its final role was evacuating refugees from Java in November 1945 before being decommissioned from the Royal Navy on 5 December 1946 and returned to Burns Philp & Company.HistoryThe shipping line Burns, Philp & Co Ltd became incorporated in 1883. The company's early operations included running small stores on Queensland's Gympie goldfields and shipping goods between Brisbane and Sydney. The company expanded and began shipping between Australia and the South East Pacific running numerous plantations and warehouses overseas. In the interwar period of the 20th century Burns, Philp & Co became an established name in Australia; their ships were clearly recognisable by their Scotch Thistle flag. They operated on the Australian Stock Exchange until December 2006 when they were divided and sold. MV BULOLO was launched on 31 May 1938 at Glasgow, Scotland. It was ordered by Burns, Philp & Co, who used the vessel to fulfill their mail service contract with the Australian government. It visited many ports in Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. BULOLO ran 8 trips as a merchant vessel before being commissioned into the Merchant Navy on 22 September 1939 to serve as a convoy escort. In 1942 BULOLO was made into a Landing Ship Headquarters and a communication centre for the Allies in Algiers, Sicily, Anzio and Normandy. BULOLO was eventually handed back to Burns, Philp & Co in 1948 and was once more used as the Commonwealth's mail service. It also ran as a passenger liner accommodating over 200 guests with luxuries including a cinema, stateroom and glass deck swimming pool. For 20 years it was the largest liner to travel between Australia and Papua New Guinea on a regular basis. In January 1968 Burns, Philp & Co sold the vessel to Chinese buyers who scrapped it in May 1968.SignificanceThis plaque represents the service of HMS BULOLO as part of the Merchant Navy during World War II. It commemorates and highlights the achievements of its crew during the conflict.