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Photograph album of Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook, RAN

Date1928 - 1940

Object numberANMS0344

NameArchive series

MediumPaper, silver gelatin prints

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from L Whitebrook

Terms

Australian Naval History

DescriptionThis archive collection is comprised of 164 black and white photographs taken or collected by Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook between 1928 and 1940. The photographs document the places he visited and his experiences during his service in the Royal Australian Navy. They feature various subjects, including the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sailing skifs and yachts, beaches, landscapes and naval officers. HMA Ships ANZAC, MORSBY, STUART, VENDETTA, CANBERRA, KOOKABURRA, HOBART and ADELE feature in some of the images.HistoryCommander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook was born 10 December 1907 in Sydney, New South Wales. He joined the Cadet Reserve of the Royal Australian Navy when he was 12 years old and remained in the reserve during his adult life. While serving in World War II he became the first Reserve officer to be given command of a vessel - HMAS GLENELG. During the war he served in HMA Ships KOOKABURRA, BENALLA, STELLA, HEROS and GLENELG. As commander of the GLENELG between March 1945 and January 1946, Whitebrook was involved in the Japanese surrender of Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies, and the consequent repatriation of Australian prisoners of war. During peace time, Whitebrook undertook his reserve training sessions on survey vessel HMAS MORESBY. Whitebrook retired from the Navy on 27 February 1952.SignificanceThis archive series documents Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook's experiences during his service in the Royal Australian Navy.