Launch of the HMAS Perth(I) exhibition.

On the 27th on February 2021, the HMAS Perth(I) Memorial Foundation Inc., in conduction with the City of Perth, put on a display to commemorate the loss of the Perth and the Houston at the battle of Sunda Stait in March 1942. Over 50 people attended the launch which was opened by the Governor of Western Australia, Kim Beazley AC. Over the next week 300 people visited the display which included artifacts and paintings on loan from the City of Perth, items of interest from the HMAS Stirling museum, models of the ships involved in the actions and a set of 9 banners and a video produced by the Australian National Maritime Museum which provided the complete story of those tragic events

Mike Bailey, Chair of the HMAS Perth(I) Memorial Foundation.

Kim Beazley AC, Governor of WA officially opens the exhibition.

The Governor and Mike Bailey examine the model of the proposed HMAS Perth (I) Memorial designed by Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith

The Governor chatting with Colin Bancroft whose father, Arthur ‘Blood’ Bancroft was one of the few from HMAS Perth(I) to return to Australia.

A painting of HMAS Perth under fire during the Battle of Sunda Strait above a banner showing its battle honours.

Commander Nagle, the newly appointed Captain of HMAS Perth(III) signing the visitor’s book.

The Governor spending some time with Mike Bailey, second from the left, LCMD Chapman and Captain Lawton, both from HMAS Stirling.

CPO Bill Prince from HMAS Stirling looks on as the Governor is first to sign the visitor’s book.

Jim O’Neill, project manager for the proposed memorial with Robert Waller, grand son of Captain Hec Waller who went down with his ship, the HMAS Perth(I) on March the first, 1942.

Five models of the ships lost in the battles of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait.

They were on loan from an exhibition of models built by Gerry Westenberg being held at the Fremantle Shipwreck Museum .

Launch of the HMAS Perth(I) exhibition.

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