The Saga of the Munga's Badge... that is Warramunga to the uninitiated...
It was
November 1942. The Japanese were still on the advance and it was
imperative that the new destroyer ‘Warramunga’ was commissioned and finish the
working up period so as she could be put into the thick of things.
Everything had been thought of except that she was given no badge, an oversight
perhaps but the ship was ready in all other respects.
Commander
Dechaineux noticed the omission and during the early part of 1943 he ran a
competition among the crew to see if one of them could come up with a design
and moto. Petty Officer Hugh Anderson, (my Dad)
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| Petty Officer Hugh Anderson |
Now the ship had a badge. While alongside
the US Navy destroyer tender ‘Dobbin’ doing a boiler clean, Petty Officer
Anderson took the timber badge to the artificers and with usual efficiency the
Americans cast up two badges for him in gun metal. The timber badge was
presented to Commander Dechaineux and as far as the crew were concerned, the
badge was now official. However, regretfully and due to an oversight,
Commander Dechaineux omitted to advised Navy Office in Melbourne of the
badge.
To make a long story short there was a lot
of controversy for many decades about the design for the Warramunga.
Finally the Warramunga Association took the matter in hand and over several
years tried to convince the authorities that the original Anderson design
should be used if ever another ship was built and carried the Warramunga name.
In March 1987,
the association’s secretary and another member of the committee, went to
Canberra with an appointment to see the Chairman of the Ship’s Names and Badges
Committee and try and thrash out a solution. Finally in May 1987 a letter
was received from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Hudson, advising
the association that the 1943 Anderson designed badge was approved as the
official design. It would be redrawn to fit into the current shaped badge
design now in common use by all ships of the RAN.
This is a
photo of Ted Plummer MBE, senior elder of the Warramunga Tribe, being presented
with ship’s badge and photo of HMAS Warramunga by Sam Whytea, secretary of the
Warramunga Veterans Association (NSW Branch) at the Civic Centre, Tennant Creek
on the 12th August 1987.
I have copied
this information from a photocopy in my father’s memorabilia I treasure.
I am not sure when it was written but I do remember my parents joy when finally
Dad’s design was made official.
The original timber carving of the badge cannot be traced. Enquiries by his son, Commodore Peter Dechaineux have been unsuccessful (at the time of the original article being written, some years ago). Of the two gun metal castings made on the ‘Dobbin’ one is now on display in the custody of the Belmore RSL Club, Sydney. The other is held or was held by the Gunner (T) Malcolm McDonald who lives/d in Victoria.
Dad passed
away 11 years ago. He would be so proud to know of my involvement with
Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags. To know I am making a quilt and bag for a
member of the current crew, I am sure he would be totally delighted.
‘Warramunga’ was his favourite ship and Commander Dechaineux was his favourite
commander. He also served on ‘HMAS Sydney’ training ship for the
Australian fleet 1937 and ‘HMAS Hobart’ while she was in the Mediterranean and
headed up the antiaircraft recognition team in Melbourne.
I hope you
have enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. It has been an honour to
put this article together.
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| HMAS Warramunga's Christmas Card - PO Hugh Anderson (front) |
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| HMAS Warramunga's Christmas Card 1943 (Back) |
The following photos are of CMDR Dechaineux on deck and other on board drawings by PO Hugh Anderson.
Cheers
Susan
Thank you for sharing Susan, it is great to read, and good to know the badge situation is sorted.
ReplyDeleteWhat a talented artist your father was Susan. Thank you for sharing this information.🤗🤗
ReplyDeleteLovely sentiment and fascinating story - thank you for sharing
ReplyDelete