Summary

Black and white photograph from a photography album by David Ralph Goodwin, RAN. The album contains 108 black and white photographs from World War II, many highly significant, showing sea battles (live fire), survivors, wounded and the dead being buried at sea. The photographs are secured with photo corners - a few now adrift. Includes images of German troops evacuating from Greece; German airborne troops in front of Junkers; airborne assault on Crete; Singapore burning; and later actions in Coral Sea. Includes a photo of HMAS Canberra, which was sunk on 9 August 1942, in the Battle of Savo Island.

David Ralph Goodwin was born 14 November 1921 in Mordialloc. He enlisted 11 May 1938 in Melbourne, service number 22112, and became an Able Seaman. During World War II he served on HMA Ships Perth (19 May 1939 - 28 August 1941) and Hobart (29 August 1941 - 4 September 1942) before being transferred to HMAS Cerberus (5 September 1942 - 21 July 1943), the Royal Australian Navy's Western Port training facility. He remained at HMAS Cerberus until June 1943 when he was diagnosed as suffering from anxiety neuroses. He was discharged on 21 July 1943. He formed the ex-HMAS Perth Association in 1966. David Ralph Goodwin died on the 4th of June 2011.

Image depicting the RNS Java, unknown provenance. However the RNS Java was present in February when the HMAS Hobart, along with other vessels, left Costhaven for the Gasper Straits. It is possible the image dates to this time. The Java was lost on February 27, 1942 in action against the Japanese vessels Haguro, Naka, Nachi and Jintsu.

Description of Content

Dutch cruiser HNLMS Java is pictured in the ocean in the centre of image. Land is shown in the background of image.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph.

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