A SHIP known for the gallant service to its country during World War II has celebrated its 71st anniversary.
On Sunday members of the HMAS Yarra National Memorial gathered at the memorial site in Newport to remember the HMAS Yarra.
National memorial member Garry Taylor is the great nephew of Ron (Buck) Taylor, a navy seaman who boarded the vessel on 3 August, 1939.
For Mr Taylor the story and history of the ship resonates on a personal level.
The HMAS Yarra was launched in March 1935 and was a sloop of the Royal Australian Navy that served in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean and Java Sea during World War II.
The Yarra remained in service until 4 March 1942, when she was sunk while defending a convoy from five Japanese warships. Of the 151 crew on-board only 13 survived.
Mr Taylor said he grew up listening to the stories of his uncle Ron’s bravery in fulfilling his duty to protect his ship, shipmates and country.
“My involvement is to always with pride and passion remember the Yarra and tell their story as it is not widely known,” Mr Taylor said.
“My great uncle stayed at his post after the abandon ship order was given, firing the only operable four-inch gun by himself until he was silenced.”
“There are not any survivors here today so it is imperative that we make sure what’s known of the Yarra and her story is never forgotten,” Mr Taylor said.
“As these gallant men gave their lives so that we today have the lives we have today and must be remembered.”
