Cruiser: The life and loss of HMAS Perth

Public Lecture | Updated 2 decades ago

Image copyright of Mike Carlton
Mike Carlton
Photo from WA Museum

The Western Australian Museum and Boffins Bookshop are proud to offer a special Batavia Lecture presentation.

An evening with Mike Carlton, one of Australia’s best-known journalists.

Of all the Australians who fought in the Second World War, none saw more action nor endured so much of its hardship and horror than the crew of the HMAS Perth I.

In February 1942, HMAS Perth I was hit by torpedoes and sank in the Battle of Sunda Strait near Java with more than 300 Australian Navy personnel lost. Another 328 men were captured, becoming the only Australian sailors to be captured by the enemy in the Second World War. Most became prisoners of war in the labour camps of the notorious Burma -Thai railway. Only 218 men, less than a third of the crew, survived to return home at war’s end.

Mike Carlton spent three years researching naval archives, reading personal letters and diaries, and interviewing survivors and their families. For many, it was the first time they had spoken of their deeply traumatic experiences.

Join Mike for the official launch of the new book and hear the moving account of how this harrowing story took shape. As a former war correspondent with a life-long passion for naval history, Mike describes this book as the one he has always wanted to write.

Mike Carlton will be available on the night to sign purchased copies of Cruiser (Random House, Sydney, 2010). Boffins will have copies available for sale at $55.00 each.

Entry is $12 per person, includes refreshments after the lecture – please pay at the door.

Bookings essential on 9431 8455 (RSVP by 5.00pm, Friday 6th August).