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Rats of Tobruk War Memorial, Five Dock

Rats of Tobruk War Memorial, Five Dock
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Description / Background

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

Veterans listed on this memorial

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Sidebar
Address
Cnr Great North and Lyons Roads
Five Dock NSW 2046
Local 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)
Dedication date
07 April 1968
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45