HMAS YARRA souvenir pennant

Date1980s

Object number00001527

NamePennant

MediumTextile, woven woollen fabric

DimensionsOverall: 195 x 580 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from John Hodge

Terms

DescriptionThis souvenir pennant depicts the name and badge of the River class destroyer escort HMAS YARRA (III) in gold on black felt.HistoryThe third HMAS YARRA was one of six ships built in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy between 1957 and 1971. This River class destroyer escort (a modified Type 12 frigate) was built at the Williamstown Naval Dockyard in Victoria and commissioned into the RAN on 27 July 1961 to become a member of Navy's 2nd Division, 1st Frigate Squadron. After trials and an operational visit to New Zealand, YARRA joined the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) in 1962 and served primarily in these South-East Asian deployments until 1984. During service with the RAN, YARRA undertook anti-infiltration patrols in Malayan and Borneo waters during the Indonesian Confrontation and operated as an escort for HMAS SYDNEY ferrying troops to Vung Tau. It also participated in many international naval exercises including SEA SERPENT (1963), SEA HORSE (1965), Joint Unit Control and SEA IMP (1966), LONGEX (1968), PX41 (1969), FEBEX and RIMPAC (1971), AUCKEX (1972), RIMPAC (1980), RIMPAC and SANDGROPER (1982), SEA EAGLE and STAR FISH (1983), and SANDGROPER (1984). Between 1961 and 1982 the ship underwent nine refits and 13 dockings. HMAS YARRA (III) was sold and broken up for scrap after paying off on 22 November 1985. The ship's badge features a kookaburra and the motto Hunt and Strike.SignificanceThis pennant represents HMAS YARRA (III), a River class destroyer escort which served in the Royal Australian Navy 1961-1985.