28 February 1942
On this day in 1942 HMAS Perth (I) under the command of Captain H.M.L. Waller, DSO, and the USS Houston steamed into a fierce night action against superior Japanese naval forces in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Both ships were struck by shellfire and torpedoes. At the time of her loss Perth’s ship’s company totalled 681, comprising 671 naval personnel, six RAAF personnel and four civilian canteen staff.
Three hundred and fifty crewmen including Captain Waller and three civilians did not survive the sinking. Those who survived numbered 328 (324 naval, three RAAF and one civilian).
Four naval personnel died ashore without having been taken prisoner. A further 106 men died in captivity (105 naval, one RAAF).
Four sailors were recovered from captivity in September 1944 when they were among prisoners of war rescued after the sinking of a Japanese transport. After the end of hostilities 214 men (211 naval, two RAAF and one civilian) were repatriated to Australia.
The last surviving officer LEUT Gavin Campbell, the Captain’s Secretary, died in December 2015.
