Summary
Diary kept by Ralph Goodwin, RAN, 1941-1942 on HMAS Perth and HMAS Hobart. Covers actions in the Mediterranean during World War II, in Crete, Malta and Syria.
David Ralph Goodwin was born on 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; he was discharged on 21 July 1943 due to illness. He formed the ex-HMAS Perth Association in 1966, and passed away on the 4 June 2011.
The diary details Goodwin's tour of duty throughout World War II, including the evacuation of Greece, the Battle of Cape Matapan and the Battle of Crete. It also includes some of Goodwin's personal experiences during the war, such as his time spent in a Jerusalem prison for 90 days as a punishment for being absent without leave in Alexandria. At the back of the diary is a list of ships, along with brief notations, that Goodwin encountered during his time in the Royal Australian Navy.
Physical Description
Lined notebook with a navy blue patterned cover, contrasting turquoise corners and spine.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr (David) R. Goodwin
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Author
Mr David R. Goodwin - Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australia, 1941
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Place & Date Written
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Place & Date Written
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Place & Date Written
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Ship Named
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Ship Named
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Inscriptions
Hand-written in pen on the inside of the front cover: 'R Goodwin / H.M.A.S. "PERTH" / H.M.A.S. "HOBART" / (underlined) EASTERN MED. STATION / DECEMBER 24th - 1940 / DECEMBER 9th - 1941 / Left Australia Nov 28th 1940 / Arrived Australia Jan 11th 1942' Hand-written in pen on the inside of the front cover, on the top right corner: '"ORION" ; "AJAX" ; "PERTH" / 7th Cruiser Squadron / "AJAX" ; "NEPTUNE" / "HOBART"' Hand-written in pen on the inside of the back cover: 'Joined May 11th 1938 (WEDNESDAY) / (underlined) R Goodwin. A.B. / DEPOT THEN / DRAFTED TO - / H.M.A.S. "VENDETTA" / "ADELAIDE" / "PERTH" / "HOBART" / "CERBERUS" / "PENGUIN"'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
190 cm (Length), 130 cm (Width), 35 cm (Height)
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Keywords
Wars & Conflicts, World War II, 1939-1945, Warships, Naval Vessels, Naval Battles