Summary

Model of the Royal Navy York class heavy cruiser HMS Exeter. Built by Parsons, Devonport, UK and commissioned in 1931, Exeter served in the Atlantic in the 1930s with a deployment to Africa after the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935. After the start of World War II Exeter served with the South American Division and in December 1939 famously took part in the pursuit of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee and (along with the light cruisers Achilles and Ajax) engaged the Admiral Graf Spee in a gun action which resulted in heavy damage to both ships. Exeter lost 61 of her crew when hit by seven 11-inch shells and retired to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands for repairs. During these repairs some of the iron plating from the hulk of the SS Great Britain was used. After full repairs were completed in Britain, Exeter served with the Eastern Fleet against the Imperial Japanese Navy invasion task force off Java in February/March 1942. Exeter was sunk by Japanese surface ships in a night engagement on 1 March 1942 with most of her crew becoming prisoners of the Japanese.

This model was made by E.J. Krummeck of Melbourne and was purchased by the Museum in 1941. It is part of a collection of British and Australian naval ship models purchased from Krummeck.

More Information