Naval Message - The Italian Fleet and HMAS SYDNEY

Date9 January 1941

Object number00054974

NameMessage

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsOverall: 280 × 190 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Joseph Davis

Terms

DescriptionA Naval Message - HMAS SYDNEY. It comprises a copy of a Naval Message to HMAS SYDNEY from the Italian Fleet on Thursday 9th, January, 1941. The message is typed in purple ink and relates to the part of the SYDNEY after the Italian War and the messages of good will between the fleets. Part of the Francis Richard Evans collection.HistoryThe Modified Leander Class light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY (II) was launched in September 1934 as HMS Phaeton and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy (and renamed) the following year. It served with distinction in the Mediterranean during the Second World War before being reassigned to Australian waters in early 1941 to serve as a convoy escort. On 19 November 1941,SYDNEY entered into a mutually destructive engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser HSK KORMORAN and sank with the loss of all hands. SYDNEY's loss is one of the most significant in the history of the Royal Australian Navy, and until its discovery in 2008 was one of Australia's most enduring naval mysteries. As a consequence, items associated with the vessel have considerable historical importance and sentimental value.SignificanceFrancis Richard Evans was assigned to SYDNEY in April 1938 and was serving aboard the vessel at the outbreak of the Second World War. During the period covered in the diary, Evans was a Petty Officer (Gunner) and served with distinction. He remained with SYDNEY following its return to Australia in early 1941 and was aboard the ship when it was lost with all hands following its engagement with KORMORAN. Few personal diaries exist that detail SYDNEY's operations in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, and fewer still are accompanied by photographs that visually document the ship's travels and military engagements during this time.