Rats of Tobruk War Memorial, Five Dock
Description
Various memorials form an overall site of remembrance:
- Column with laurel wreath on a stepped base. The word 'Tobruk' appears at the apex
- A row of trees planted by the Ladies of the Rats of Tobruk Association
- The foremast from the original H.M.A.S. Vendetta is located nearby in the park, and forms part of the memorial
The name 'Rats' was given the defenders of Tobruk by attacking German forces, and was adopted with pride, rather than being received as the intended insult. The H.M.A.S. Vendetta performed a valiant supply and reinforcement role during the fierce Second World War engagement. Following an approach from the Rats of Tobruk Association, the foremast was restored by Petty Officers and sailors from the R.A.N. Garden Island's Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Activity (F.I.M.A.). The completed foremast was raised in April 1999.
Inscription
Column
TOBRUK
Plaque on front of column, middle
Australia Remembers 1945 - 1995
In honour of
the men and women who served
Australia in time of conflict
during World War II.
Lest we forget.
Laid 21st October 1995
jointly by
Rats of Tobruk Association
and Five Dock RSL
Plaque 1 on front of column, bottom
TOBRUK 1941
This column is a replica of the memorial
situated in the war cemetery at Tobruk
and is dedicated to those who served
and those who died during the epic siege
Plaque 2 on front of column, bottom
Erected By
THE RATS OF TOBRUK ASSOCIATION, N.S.W.
Plaque 1 in proximity
THIS MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED BY
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF N.S.W.
SIR RODEN CUTLER V.C. K.C.M.G. C.B.E.
SUNDAY 7th APRIL 1968
Plaque 2 in proximity
In memory of
fallen comrades
and the unknown
Australian Soldier
RATS OF TOBRUK ASSOC. NSW
Remembrance Day
11.11.1993
Plaque 3 in proximity
The foremast of H.M.A.S. "VENDETTA"
Royal Australian Navy
was erected on this site to perpetuate the memory of that ship
and the gallant company of men who served in her in two
world wars.
"VENDETTA", with other R.N. and R.A.N. ships [illeg.] supplies
and reinforcements to the Allied land forces [illeg.] Tobruk
from April to December 194[illeg.]
September 1992
Plaque 4 in proximity
The foremast of
H.M.A.S. VENDETTA, R.A.N.
was erected to perpetuate the memory of that ship
and the gallant company in World Wars I & II
The Destroyer Vendetta made a record 24 runs carrying
troops and supplies to the beseiged garrison at Tobruk
The foremast was previously erected at
Coogee Randwick RSL on the [illeg.]
and was reerected on this site by the
Rats of Tobruk and Vendetta veterans
Dedicated by Commander Ferris R.A.N.
Commanding Officer Vendetta Mk 2
On 23rd February 1975
Trees plaque
Their Deeds Bought
Our Freedom
In tribute to our gallant fighting forces
and the sacrifice they made
1939 - 1945
This row of trees planted
in their honour
by
the grateful ladies of the
Rats of Tobruk Auxillary
Do you know more about this war memorial?
Address
Cnr Great North and Lyons Roads
Five Dock NSW 2046
AustraliaLocal Government Area
- Canada Bay, City of
Memorial type
- Column/pillar
- Memorial avenue/Memorial tree/Memorial trees
- Other
Recorded by
Mr Rusty Priest AM, former RSL State President (NSW Branch)Established Date format:
$e_original_date = $entity->field_established['und'][0]['value'];
if (!empty($e_original_date)) {
$changed_date = strtotime($e_original_date);
$new_date = date("d F Y", $changed_date);
print 'Established date
';
print $new_date;
}
else{
print '';
}Dedication date
07 April 1968 Conflict/s
- Second World War, 1939–45