HMAS Tobruk (1)

Continuing to look at ships on which my Uncle John served, the destroyer HMAS Tobruk is not quite as illustrious as the cruiser HMAS Shropshire, but distinguished nevertheless.

Tobruk was commissioned at Sydney on May 8, 1950.

According to Australian Government archives, John was aboard in the Korean War from August 31, 1951 to February 22, 1952.

That coincides with the Royal Australian Navy’s official report, which says: “In August 1951 she proceeded to Japan to join the United Nations naval forces for Korean War operations.”

Tobruk initially escorted the American aircraft carrier Rendova with two ships of the Royal Canadian Navy.

On 8 November Tobruk began her third patrol, the venue changing to the east coast where she spent 12 days as one of a bombarding group attacking enemy points between Songjin and Chongjin. The highlight of the operation was the complete destruction of a southbound freight train during the middle watch of November 18. On several occasions trains after being hit had escaped but on this occasion derailment enabled Tobruk to complete the destruction with 4.5-inch fire.

Tobruk later joined HMAS Sydney on operations and served gallantly until January 1952.

At the end of her five months of service in operational areas, Tobruk had steamed some 39,000 miles and fired 2316 rounds from her 4.5-inch guns.

Here is something interesting:

Following six months in home waters, Tobruk in September 1952 escorted Sydney to Manus Island and during the following month was engaged carrying out security patrols off the Monte Bello Islands, covering the explosion of the first British atomic bomb. The following seven months were all spent in Australian waters.

That confirms my belief John was exposed to British atomic testing. For some reason the nominal roll has been removed from the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

John finished his Korean War service aboard HMAS Sydney from October 27, 1953 to June 2, 1954.

Tobruk returned to Korean waters, and although hostilities ended on July 27, 1953, Tobruk continued to serve there in the post-war period, conducting post-armistice patrols until January 1954.

Tobruk later sailed in South East Asia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Australia.

She was sold for scrap on February 15, 1972 to the Fujita Salvage Company Limited of Osaka, Japan.

According to Wikipedia:

Class and type: Anzac class destroyer
Displacement: 2436 tons (standard), 3450 tons (full load)
Length: 379ft (116m)
Beam: 41ft (12m)
Draught: 12ft 9 in (3.9m)
Propulsion: Parsons geared turbines, 50,000 horsepower
Speed: 35 knots (designed), 31 knots (sea speed)
Complement: 290