Rats of Tobruk
Rat’s Of Tobruk Association (NSW Branch) Final March
Ernie Walker's Funeral - Last Rat of Tobruk (NSW)
Tobruk Map - signed by the RATS during and after the war, see if you can recognise the name of one of our heroes.
Rats painting by Joe Zapp
Left: Pte John Collins (known as Th Face of Tobruk) SX1793 2/10th Tank Chasers; Lieutenant General Sir Leslie Morshead KCB,KBE,GMO,DSO,ED 9th Div; Cpl Alexandra "Clicker" MACNIELL 2/24 th Infantry Battalion 9th Division; Living Veteran Sgt Albert Le Merton NX17371 2/13th Infantry Battalion 9th Division; Living Veteran Henry Tranter QX7764 Singnalman 9th Division Australian Corps of Signals
Right: Cpl Joseph Oakley QX4796 2/13th RAE 9th Division; Living Veteran Sapper Ernie Walker NX2046 2/1st Pioneer 6th Division; Pte. Arthur "Stan"Gurney VC 2/48th Infantry Battalion 26 th Brigade 9th Division; Living Veteran Sgt.Walter Gordon Wallace QX7646 2/15th Infantry Battalion 9th Division
RATS OF TOBRUK MEMORIAL -FIVE DOCK
The Rats of Tobruk war Memorial and HMAS VENDETTAs original formast.
The Rats of Tobruk War Memorial was unveiled by Sir Roden Cutler V.C., K.C.M.G., C.B.E. on Sunday, April 7, 1968. The memorial is an obelisk with a laurel wreath on a stepped base; the word ‘Tobruk’ appears at the apex; a row of trees was originally planted by the Ladies of the Rats of Tobruk Association. The words that are associated with that special row of trees state; “Their deeds bought our freedom. In tribute to our gallant fighting forces and the sacrifices they made 1939-1945. This row of trees planted by the grateful Ladies of the Rats of Tobruk Association.”
The name “Rats” was an affectionate one and not really an insult to the defenders of Tobruk that held off the might of the German army and air force for a period beyond all expectations at the time when Allied forces in North Africa were really on the back-foot. The word “Rats” was adopted with a high level of pride and has remained part of Australia’s war history for 75 years. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2, in 1995 a plaque was attached to the obelisk. It reads; “Australia Remembers 1939-1945. In honor of the men and women who served Australia in conflict during World War 11. Lest We Forget. Laid 21st October 1995 jointly by Rats of Tobruk Association and Five Dock R.S.L.” In the late 1990s the foremast of ‘Vendetta’ was in a bad state of condition. 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 and was raised again in April 1999.
NSW RATS OF TOBRUK MEMORABILIA
The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 241 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of
World War Two.
The “Rats of Tobruk” was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps during the Siege.
The garrison, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, consisted of the 9th Australian Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Australian Division, four regiments of British artillery and some Indian troops.
NSW RATS OF TOBRUK MAKE THEIR FINAL MARCH AT FIVE DOCK - 2015
Veterans, family and friends held a service at the Rats of Tobruk Memorial at 11am on 12th April 2015 remembering the diggers who fought and died in the North African campaign.
Gordon Steel (Scap Iron Fortilla) with HMAS WATERHEN Sailors
Joe Madeley
Rats of Tobruk Farewell March
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Robert Ridge greet the HMAS WATERHEN contigent.
Joe Madeley addresses the attendees.
Joe Madeley encaptures the audience
Tobruk Memorial
Our Rats
Peter Crosgrove giving thanks
Looking over memoriabilia