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Commemorating HMAS Sydney II

Published on: November 2020

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-114801

Commemorating HMAS Sydney II

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—Today I acknowledge the 79th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Sydney II on 19 November 1941. This morning I laid a wreath at the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony and Commemorative Memorial Service in memory of those who perished. HMAS Sydney II served primarily in the Mediterranean from June 1940 and within hours of Italy's war declaration, the British Fleet sailed on its first patrol sweep in the early hours of 11 June. The war in the Mediterranean had erupted swiftly and for the young Australian sailors on board it was a sobering introduction to war at sea in the northern hemisphere. HMAS Sydney II took part in numerous engagements, including the Battle of Calabria, and the Battle of Cape Spada where it took on two Italian cruisers, firing over 956 rounds of 6-inch shells at the enemy. The German raider HSK Kormoran sank the Sydney on 19 November 1941 after it was fatally hit by a torpedo and of Sydney's total complement of 42 officers and 603 ratings, none survived. Thank you to the HMAS Sydney Association for organising this service, particularly Barry Brooks and Brian Yeo.