The Chapel of Our Lady Star of the Sea was designed by PJ O'Connor and Brophy and built by WA Medbury as a memorial to 'those men of the Royal Australian Navy who gave their lives in World War I and II'. The Foundation stone was blessed the Melbourne's Archbishop, the Most Rev. D. Mannix DD, LLD, on 6 October 1946. The builder ordered windows from Brooks, Robinson & Co. in March 1948, most to be made of 'amber quarries with a green outside border and a ruby inner border' with emblems inset, as was the case for this group in the north nave that each measured approximately 63 x 19 inches.
HMAS Swan, the second RAN vessel to carry the name, was commissioned on 21 January 1937. She was fitted out as a Minesweeper and undertook operations in Australian waters until December 1941. The entry of the Japanese into the Pacific area saw her in minesweeping operations and escort duties around New Guinea. HMAS Swan was in Darwin when it was bombed on 19 February 1942 and, although not severely dmaged, three lives were lost - Signalman Alwyn John Breen, Leading Seaman John Sault and Able Seaman Albert Samuel Purdon. Signalman Breen is also commemorated with a window at the Kyabram Wesleyan Uniting Church (Vic). HMAS Swan continued to serve throughout and after the Second World War before being converted to a cadet training vessel.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; http://www.navy.gov.au/
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