HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION
01 Jan 2012
To determine the way ahead in forming an Association I conducted a online survey for 6 months to discover how people wanted the Association to be formed, the following are the Survey outcomes:
- 51 % were in favour of approaching the HMAS Canberra –Shropshire Association to combine
- 25% were in favour of forming an Independent HMAS Canberra Association
- 24% were in favour of forming an Association under the Naval Association
Based on the result of the Survey and with the support from ex-HMAS Canberra 2 Ships Company and the surviving members of the HMAS Canberra HMAS Shropshire Association (WA Division).I have decided to to pursue combining with the HMAS Canberra Shropshire Association.
THE objects of the HMAS CANBERRA HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association constitution have always made provision for HMAS Canberra 2 Ships Company to join the Association as follows:
"To bring together those men who served in the ship bearing the name HMAS Canberra prior to and during World War II, and also those men who served in the ship bearing the name HMAS Shropshire during and after World War II, and also to welcome and encourage participation in the Association by those men of the Royal Australian Navy who serve in any future ships bearing the name HMAS Canberra or HMAS Shropshire"
I have been investigating the status of the HMAS Canberra- Shropshire Association in Australia.
- The HMAS Canberra- Shropshire Association was formed in each state of Australia, the NSW and Victorian Divisions are most active, and hold a Annual Reunion, AGM's, Anzac Day and Memorial Services.
- The South Australian branch is still active with few members and marches on Anzac Day with the assistance of the Naval Association and a few members from HMAS Canberra 2.
- The Western Australian Division has disbanded; however 6 members of the Association are still in contact.
- The Queensland Division of the Association was disbanded in 2005.
- The Tasmania Division of the Association has been disbanded.
- The Australian Capital Territory no longer has any representation for the Association.
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The WAY AHEAD
I am currently working on incorporating the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association in Western Australia, the Association here in WA has been inactive for the past 2-3 years, only 6 members of the orginal Association are still active.
A small committee has been formed in WA that includes 2 members of the original Association and 4 members of the HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company. I plan to have the Association up and running early in 2012.
When the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association is up and running in WA I will be looking to HMAS Canberra (2) Ships Company to re-establish the Association in South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT and NT in 2012-13.
The New South Wales and Victoria Divisions of the Association are the only states that are fully active with committees and membership. I will be dicussing the way forward in regards to HMAS Canberra 2 Ships Company membership of the Association.
This year marks the 70th Anniversary since HMAS CANBERRA 1 was sunk on the 09 August 1942 with the loss of 86 personnel in the Battle of Savo Island. It will be great if we are able to support the NSW and Victorian Divisions of the HMAS CANBERRA -SHROPSHIRE Association for Anzac Day and the Memorial Services for HMAS CANBERRA 1 in August 2012.
I will keep you updated as we move forward.
Yours Aye,
Lee "Bickies" Webster
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To all Former Ships Company of HMAS Canberra - 2011
HMAS Canberra FFG02 does not have a Official Association.
Historical Context
HMAS Canberra 1 was commissioned in 1928; she was tragically sunk during WW 2 off Savo Island in 1942, 84 members of the Ships Company were killed in action.
Many survivors from HMAS Canberra were transport to the United Kingdom in 1943 to commission her replacement HMAS Shropshire.
The HMAS Shropshire Association was originally established in 1948, at a later date it was decided to incorporate HMAS Canberra into the Association.
HMAS Canberra Shropshire Association WA 1995
HMAS Canberra 2 was commissioned 39 years after the sinking of HMAS Canberra 1, four decades passed without a HMAS Canberra in the RAN, this was due to the US Government naming the USS Canberra in honour of the HMAS Canberra 1.
The HMAS Canberra 2 had a strong affiliation with the HMAS Canberra – Shropshire Association which was maintained over the life of the ship from 1981 until 2005.
With the passing of the years the HMAS Canberra – Shropshire Association has been in decline, only 9 members of the Association marched in Sydney for Anzac Day this year.
Sadly I am not aware of any ex HMAS Canberra 2 personnel who joined the HMAS Canberra - Shropshire Association, this has made it very difficult to support our forebears and carry on the fine traditions established by HMAS Canberra 1.
In addition we do not have an association to support the Ships Company that have served in HMAS Canberra 2, this will be very important as we try and address issues pertaining specifically to the ship, this was recently demonstrated by the review of the service on Operation DAMASK VI during 1993 that was inappropriately classified.
HMAS Canberra 3 will be commissioned in 2014; it will be great to be involved as an organised Association for this and other important occasion in the future. It will also provide the legacy of an Association for future HMAS Canberra Ships Company members..
Lee "Bickies" Webster