THE HON. ALAN GRIFFIN MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Friday, 28 May 2010
019/2010
Sydney WWII Attack Remembered
What:
Memorial service to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the 21
Australian and British Navy personnel who lost their lives when
Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbour and
sunk the converted ferry, HMAS Kuttabul, near Garden Island.
When:
10am on Monday, 31 May 2010. Media should arrive by
9.30am.
Where:
HMAS Kuttabul Memorial, Garden Island. Please assemble at
the main gate of HMAS Kuttabul at the intersection of Cowper
Wharf Road and Wylde Street, Woolloomooloo. Photographic
identification is required.
Who:
The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor
Marie Bashir AC CVO; Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister
for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin ; the Hon Penny Sharpe
MLC, representing the NSW Premier; Mr Neil Roberts, survivor
of the attack on HMAS Kuttabul; and senior Navy personnel.
Background:
Twenty-one Australian and British Navy personnel lost their lives when three
Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbour and sunk HMAS
Kuttabul, a converted ferry being used for sailors’ accommodation at Garden
Island, just after midnight on 1 June 1942.
One of the Japanese midget submarines, M24, fired two torpedos at USS
Chicago. The weapons missed their target but one torpedo detonated under
HMAS Kuttabul, killing 21 of the men onboard and sinking her.
Media contact:
Sasha Nimmo (Alan Griffin):
0437 863 109
Danielle Kuhn, Defence Public Affairs NSW:
0405 310 176
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
