By Mike Fogarty
This article is not a medal roll for HMAS Macquarie when it served with SEAC in 1946. Such a personal attempt would be both presumptuous and precocious. It would be a false gesture to infer otherwise. The issue of the Naval General Service Medal (1915-1962) with clasp S.E. Asia, 1945-46 is one thing. Repatriation claims and other accompanying benefits can only be determined at an official level. Yet this unofficial list is a provisional attempt to record some of those officers and sailors who were deployed on that brief post-war mission.
An exhaustive study of the ship’s ledgers has indicated that many of the crew were eligible for the medal and or clasp. It is doubted whether any official composite list survives. While some 157 served in Macquarie, another account indicates that the aggregated total was 170. No effort has been made to individually identify each and every RAN member who may be eligible. For example, while several young RAN officers served in HM ships in NEI in 1945-46, they were not attached to HMAS Macquarie. They, too, were issued with the award for their own RN service.
In such a tentative exercise, it does not demand that the subject be managed to death. Some surnames may be incorrectly spelt, with indeterminate initials and wrong service numbers. A few sailors were discharged before deploying so ledgers could be inexact. If a given rank is awry, then that will not detract from its authenticity. After all, this author can take no official responsibility for any list which is not in his remit to verify. Being both provisional and informative, from extensive research, it may be left to Navy to authorise its probity, rectitude and governance. Any veteran or surviving relative who seizes on this roll, as proof of any claim, should be gently disabused. Many will have been awarded the medal; some may not, if they have not been able to satisfy the formal eligibility criteria. Medal iconography is beset with its own politics. It is enough that this account should partly source RAN history overall.
Why was Macquarie tasked on that operation and what was the prevailing political and military background which necessitated it? Simply put, Macquarie, ably commanded by Lieutenant Commander Max Hinchliffe, DSC, RAN, served in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) in July and August, 1946. It was but one of 120 ships in SEAC command, under Admiral Louis Mountbatten. These were its objectives:
. Transporting war crimes investigation units
. Deploying P.O.W. searcher parties
. Carrying war graves registration units
These bald facts disguise the overall contribution. At once, it was also an emotional and heart-felt response. It was a vain attempt to recover any survivors from HMAS Perth which had been sunk earlier in 1942, in a one-sided battle with a superior Japanese invasion fleet. No men were found. The Sydney Morning Herald of 12 October, 1946 confirmed this fey venture (“Fruitless search for survivors of lost cruiser”). Despite the cessation of hostilities with the Japanese, in mid-August 1945, the region was still restive and Macquarie’s mission was far from peaceful. Indeed, there were diplomatic sensitivities to be acknowledged. Australia had no overt role to restore Dutch sovereignty, to permit it to re-assert its claims on an ante-bellum colonial possession. But order had to be restored, to separate the warring parties from each other, but this was also the lot of the British army augmented by its Indian troops. Canberra had residual sympathy for Indonesia’s nationalist aspirations.
Some background is necessary if we are to appreciate why Macquarie served. The Japanese occupation of the NEI awakened fervent nationalist sentiments. On their capitulation, emerging nationalist leaders filled the vacuum, in an opportunistic grab for power before the victorious allies could restore order and control of a situation which urgently needed both imperatives, if the civil populace was to be protected. Anger turned against some Dutch settlers, who had only been recently released as internees. SEAC also adopted a humanitarian role in recovering and repatriating the POW community as well as Japanese troops who would be shipped back to Japan. The RAAF had a small but respectable role which is outside the ambit of this story. Our army had a few of its personnel there but their presence is not recorded here.
SEAC had a complex agenda and its responsibilities are summarised below.
. Effecting the transfer of power, from the demobilized Japanese to the allies
. Enforcing the Japanese to surrender their arms and their military inventory
. Account for allied internees and prisoners of war
. Establishing a provisional military administration to keep the peace
The British considered eventual claims of sovereignty as an internal question between the returning NEI government and the Indonesian people and its leaders. Australia had no enthusiasm to fight a colonial war on behalf of the Dutch. The British were actively involved against the nationalist movement losing over 500 troops in military operations. Australia favoured a bi-lateral settlement of competing claims. The nationalists were suspicious of Australia’s involvement and on one occasion the tension was realised when an armed convoy from Macquarie was ambushed in a skirmish, with no casualties. The Seaforth Highlanders on board carried out countless search operations. Canberra was leery about attaching Dutch personnel to Macquarie as we were not a proxy army supporting their own ambitions.
In a period of 28 days, armed parties searched 50 islands in the Sunda Strait group. One Perth survivor, Lieutenant Bill Gay, a former POW, was onboard. The effect on this officer, after his own captivity, can only be imagined. I have corresponded with several Macquarie men and their advice was instructive. They considered their service was prosaic but often adventurous in a conflicted situation. There was the odd incident with “natives” and some sailors were threatened at ports. Macquarie rendered exemplary service and, some seven decades on; it is incumbent to record its contribution in a very ambiguous episode in the history of both nations. The Naval Officer-in-charge of Batavia encapsulated their contribution, at times arduous, exciting and boring. “Your efficient handling of the difficult and unusual operation … reflects great credit on the commanding officer, officers and ship’s company, whose conduct ashore has been exemplary.’ One sailor saw it differently. There were some unauthorised visits to local kampongs in search of rice wine and tourist “amenities”. Once they were menaced with guns and knives in a less accommodating village.
Context is all, so what happened, as a sailor recounts? “We would call into an area, the search parties would land by motor boat, do their questioning (of locals) and return, very unspectacular.” Yet the same sailor had prescience beyond his young years, unless age and wisdom later resourced his memories and their significance. “An ordinary ship with an ordinary crew, who were placed in the (invidious?) position of having an unorthodox series of duties to carry out.” He was too modest and history should augment his reflections if we are to better comprehend this key assignment.
As a postscript, Max Hinchliffe sought approval from the Naval Board for the issue of the NGSM with clasp S.E. Asia 1945-46, to recognise Macquarie’s deployment from 4 July to 30 August 1946. In June, 1947 Navy confirmed their eligibility for this award to those on board who served in the period and area. My list under attempts to record those whose eligibility could be confirmed after official confirmation, if they were subsequently issued with the medal and clasp. Max might have sought some consolation. After his return to Sydney, The SMH of 27 November, 1947 reported that a court-martial held that he as commanding officer was reprimanded for negligence by default, hazarding his ship. Macquarie had struck an uncharted reef off the west coast of Sumatra, but the ship was only slightly damaged.
In summary, this author has accounted for that mission previously. See Michael Fogarty, “Small wars you may have missed: the minor campaigns of the RAN, 1936-56”, in David Stevens, Maritime Power in the 20th Century, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998. This article is not a complete political or even operational history. For example, it has not been necessary to attenuate events from the ship’s reports of proceedings. Nor has any attempt been made to inspect the ship’s log books, which offer a more complete rendition of the activities and routines which transpired. The story belongs to all of its crew members well led by Lieutenant Commander Max Hinchliffe. The youngest crew member would be at least 90 years old and many of those veterans are no longer with us to recall their service a long time ago in a faraway land. Here is the place to commemorate their contribution. My list is both interim and provisional, as it can only supplement any official list yet to be published, if needed. While it may contain errors, it remains a work in progress. It is time to honour them. Let us now salute these intrepid men.
Mike Fogarty is a former naval officer and diplomat. He has a BA (Social Sciences) and a Master of Arts (Military History). 14 November, 2017.
Annex: HMAS Macquarie, a provisional crew list, serving with SEAC, 1946.
Name: Rank: Serial Number:
Adcock, H T AB 23929
Aldridge, G J AB S9242
Ansell, J V Ord 28734
Anthony, B L Lt. RANVR
Archer, B Ord 28732
Atkins, D E AB 21241
Baker, L K AB PM8491
Baker, R J A/Ck 28756
Barker, J E Ck PM7477
Barrett, K L AB 43035
Bartholomew, L M L/Sea 23499
Bayliss, A E OA5 19453
Bennetto, B S AB H3036
Berry, A P AB PA5351
Bews, J W AB H3015
Bowen, W S Ord 27392
Box, R H AB PM8497
Branson, G M SA F5827
Bregazzi, R H SPO 24118
Brown, J W AB 24773
Buchanan, D R AB S9411
Burgess, N R Sto S8702
Burley, N AB PM8344
Burton, F R Sto S9594
Butler, G W W Ord 28750
Buttery, H M A/CPO 19958
Cain, L W Sto F4792
Cameron, J T A/ERA4 PM8318
Carbans, S J Ord 28775
Castle, D C A/Sig PA4785
Cliff, R J Sto2 B5579
Cock, W R L/SA 23324
Cook, A A A/Sig S9401
Cummins, L S SPO 23187
Curtis, R E L/Ck 21884
Daniel, B M Ord PM8116
Davidson, E R A/AB PA4844
Davis, D L L/Sto PA2282
Davis, R K A/PO 22284
Dean, F Sto 20977
Doudle, J Ord 28793
Douglas, E R A/AB PA4844
Downie, W Ord 28754
Dunk, D A L/Sea 24780
Edwards, L M L/Sto 26205
Ellis, H AB F3832
Fairbairn, L W Ord 28803
Fenwick, J A/Sblt RANR
Fidock, B N A/PO PA3395
Ford, A AB 18994
Frankland, J T ERA2 23522
Freeder, L Ck S5904
Gallager, H G Lt RANVR
Gay, W Lt RAN
Grumley, K A A/Std 27871
Gyllies, P Lt RAN
Hale, W D Sto S9600
Hancock, E G Ord S10681
Harris, R J Ord F5792
Harrison, K C AB PM7904
Hartley, B J Ord 28828
Henkell, R J Ord 28830
Hersey, M Sto PA5444
Higginbotham, E Ord PM8677
Hinchliffe, L M Lcdr RAN
Hogan, G P Sto 35453
Holdsworth, S L Ord B5203
Holland, I W Sto S9004
Holt, R T AB S10142
Hughes, H R AB 24535
Irvine, W E A/Std PM8579
Jarrett, L R AB PA5179
Kearnan, J D Ord S10233
Ketteringham, G B Sto2 B5555
Kotthoff, K Sto W3181
Kreig, L K Coder 27106
Laing-Schofield, G SPO 21988
Lavendar, J S AB S9911
Lawrence, F W L/Sto 22757
Lister, G D AB P5730
Litchfield, J AB S9912
Loveland, R W SBA PM7864
Lowe, A F Sto S9350
Lukey, L F Ord PA8515
Lynch, R F A Wireman 27366
Mackie, D K A/SPO 23057
McMahon, J R AB 21866
McCarthy, F AB PA5293
McConachie, W F L/Sea 22440
McCullock, H D Ord 27590
McDonnell, H L Sig 22793
McLure, W B ERA3 S3231
McPherson, C E T/CERA 22627
Makings, F G L/Sto 24101
Marsh, F E L/Sto S5072
Martens, T J AB 22013
Michael, J C Sblt RAN
Miller, D W AB PA5124
Mitchell, W H AB 18343
Moray, S H Lt RANVR
Murison, J N L/Sea PA1613
Netterfield, F AB 22331
Newton, R L A/ERA4 S9930
O’Brien, T J AB F5327
O’May, C D Coder 27298
O’Niell, J Sto2 B5432
Patterson, A K PO/Tel 20119
Pearce, J L AB PA5131
Price, E J AB PM8312
Pring, A C Tel B4988
Prosser, C J SPO 23462
Quinn, F W Tel PA4498
Ramage, T E AB 26353
Ratcliffe, E J L/Sea 23059
Reece, F J L/Sto S5121
Richardson, R J Ord F5644
Ridd, C J C/Sto 16177
Roach, D N Sblt RANR
Roberts, R V ERA4 30792
Rodgers, J AB PM7388
Rosenthal, J Ord PA5424
Russell, H J L/Std PA5214
Sawyer, C W A/SPO 23771
Scholz, W D Sto2 PA5578
Scott, R S AB PM8025
Sexton, E J AB PM8447
Shand, B J Ord 28947
Shaw, B G L/Sea 23179
Shaw, J A AB PM8096
Shaw, K D AB PM8308
Sibun, J C Cd. Mech. RAN
Singeleton, A PO B3348
Skoudem, W T ERA3 PM3677
Sloman, K E Ord S100500
Smith, K H AB S10439
Smith, M R AB PM8519
Spurr, E G Tel PA5072
Stevenson, C Sto 28051
Stirzaker, J B Sto PA4305
Stubbs, A C AB PM7912
Taylor, I L AB PM8577
Taylor, J L Ord B9645
Taylor, M H Ord PM8530
Turner, K M AB PM8531
Turner, K N AB PM8288
Vincent, L G AB 24365
Walker, G G AB 26366
Ward, R C Std S8973
Watson, S AB PM8303
Wellmann, R C Ord PA5484
White, G G L/Sea 20416
Whitford, J AB PM8301
Willder, I D AB PM8534
Williams, A B Ord S10480
Williams, G W Ck S6094
Wilson, G L Sig S9033
