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This page includes stories, anecdotes and photos from
HMAS MILDURA's early war years.
THE
BEGINNING
from
the memoirs of Dudley Ricketts, Coxswain HMAS MILDURA
Dudley joined the RAN in 1913. He was discharged in 1923,
and rejoined in 1940.
"After several months instructing recruits
at Flinders Naval Depot, I received instructions to report to
Mort's
Dock in Sydney to stand by one of the corvettes being built there.
We were put on "Lodge and Comp" and expected to find
our own digs, for which we received 5/6d per day (55 cents).
My ad in
the Sydney Morning Herald seeking board attracted 70 replies and
I accepted on at Kirribilli Point where for 35/- per week ($3.50)
I
got full board, my own room, laundry and a cut lunch daily."
"When I reported to Mort's Dock I met a rather
young looking Reserve Lieutenant (S) coming towards me. I saluted
him and asked if he was the C. O. of the MILDURA. He said he was
and I explained that I was his new Coxswain. He looked at me
and replied
"Thank God". Rather taken aback I asked him what that meant.
He said, "I see you are wearing First War ribbons. I am a reservist
from the Merchant Service who doesn't know much about the Navy.
I
will be glad of your experience." I said, "Wait a minute,
Sir, I have only recently rejoined the Service after an absence
of
eighteen years and am a bit rusty.""Well, we'll learn together
then," was his reply and we did. His name was Lieutenant Owen,
he proved a fine little bloke and we got on very well together."
"After fitting out we did speed trials in Sydney
Harbour and a shake down cruise to Jervis Bay and then minesweeping
down the NSW coast and around to Wilson's Promontory."
Dudley's stay on the MILDURA was short lived. After
a chest X-Ray, a suspected lung problem put him ashore. Tests proved
negative, but Dudley was never to rejoin the MILDURA. He spent the rest
of the war in the frigates GASCOYNE and BARCOO.
MILDURA, Sydney, July 1941, before commissioning into RAN
Photo courtesy Australian War Memorial
If you have any items to share, or would like to be
contacted when this page is updated, please send an e-mail to the hmasmildura@hotmail.com
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