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.
With many other Royal Australian Naval ships, HMAS Australia spent the first part of the Second World War in support of the war in Europe. She returned to Sydney in March 1941 and after duties in the Indian Ocean and closer to home she was made Flagship of the Australian Squadron, then of ANZAC Squadron. Among many major operations, HMAS Australia took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 and Gualcanal in August the same year. On 21 October 1944, Australia was hit by a Japanese suicide plane, possibly the first attack of this type. Six officers and 23 ratings were killed. Commanding Officer, Captain Emile Frank VerlaneDechaineux died of wounds. He is remembered on the Plymouth Navel memorial, Devon (UK).
Able Seaman Richard John Parkinson, son of the window's donors, Maria and Rupert Parkinson of Moonah (Tas) also died of wounds received in the action, aged 23. Born in Sydney on 17 September 1921 he reported for duty on 12 February 1940.
After a return to operations, HMAS Australia was attacked by more Kamikaze planes on 5 January 1945, which resulted in the deaths of three officers and 41 men.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: A6770, Parkinson RJ; http://www.navy.gov.au/
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