Wireless Telegraph Key belonging to Horace 'Horrie' Young
Datebefore 1943
Object number00056307
NameTelegraph key
MediumTimber, iron/steel, copper-alloy, rubber
DimensionsOverall: 80 × 152 × 88 mm, 533 g
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Neil Young
DescriptionWireless telegraphy (Morse) ‘straight’ key formerly owned by Leading Telegraphist Horace ‘Horrie’ Young, RANR, who served as wireless operator and telegraphist aboard MV KRAIT during Operation Jaywick.HistoryOn the night of 26 September 1943, six members of Australia’s Z Special Unit carried out a daring clandestine raid against Imperial Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour. To avoid detection, the men had been transported deep into enemy territory aboard a Japanese-built fishing vessel, assumed the appearance of local fishermen, and launched their attack using folding kayaks and limpet mines. The mission, Operation Jaywick, was a complete success, resulting in the damage or destruction of seven Japanese ships and no Allied losses. However, the raid had dire consequences for Singapore’s civilian population, which was subjected to mass arrests, mistreatment, and summary executions. Most of the commandos that participated in Operation Jaywick were killed in a follow-up raid on Singapore Harbour called Operation Rimau. The fishing vessel that served as Operation Jaywick’s ‘mothership’, MV KRAIT, also survived the war, was brought back to Australia in 1964, and has been on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum since 1987.
Members of Operation Jaywick were assigned to Z Special Unit (also known as ‘Z Force’), a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit formed by British Special Operations Executive officers who escaped Singapore. Although predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit also included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese, and Indonesian nationals among its ranks. Training for the raid took place at Refuge Bay, a remote and inaccessible area located along the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales.
SignificanceLeading Telegraphist 'Horrie' Young, was present aboard the KRAIT during Opertation Jaywick and was responsible for maintaining covert communication with Allied forces, and monitoring enemy radio traffic, ensuring the mission’s success. Aside from two other examples owned by Young’s other children, no additional telegraphy keys associated with Young and KRAIT are known to exist.
