HMAS YARRA (III)

Date1961-1985

Object number00054673

NameShip badge

MediumWood, metal, paint, plastic

DimensionsOverall: 250 × 195 × 16 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook

Terms

DescriptionA ship badge from the frigate HMAS YARRA (III) commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1961. It was acquired by Captain William Cook who retired from the RAN in 1960.SignificanceThis badge is associated with HMAS YARRA (II), a Grimsby Class sloop that served with distinction during the Second World War, but was later sunk by a Japanese cruiser flotilla on 4 March 1942. The badge is also directly associated with William Cook, who served aboard YARRA during the early phase of his naval career. Cook would later assume command of HMAS NIZAM in February 1945 and become the youngest Australian naval officer to command a destoyer during the Second World War. He would also serve as First Lieutenant aboard HMAS WYATT EARP, the first Australian naval vessel to participate in an Antarctic research expedition (the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition) in the immediate post-war period.