Martime Museum Curator, Paul Mazourek and George Read.
Whyalla Maritime Museum receives significant WWII donation
The Whyalla Maritime Museum has been gifted with a piece of history, thanks to a generous donation from the family of Neven Robinson Read, RAN (Royal Australian Navy), who was the HMAS Whyalla commander during 1944-1945.
Commander Read's ceremonial RAN sword from World War II has been gifted to the museum by his grandson, George Read, who travelled from Victoria with his family to personally deliver the artefact.
Commander Read served in the Royal Australian Navy for an impressive 35 years, from his enrolment in the Naval College in 1917 until his discharge in 1952.
Until now, the museum did not possess any artefacts related to the ship's WWII commanders, making this donation especially meaningful. Over 200 years of military history are captured in this sword, it features a gold-plated brass hilt, white fish-skin grip and a distinctive brass lion pommel. Plans are underway to create a dedicated exhibition case to permanently display the ceremonial sword alongside Commander Read's photograph in the museum’s World War II Gallery.
George Read expressed his pride in ensuring the sword finds its rightful place in Whyalla, "I thought there would be a better future for the sword here in Whyalla than sitting at my home. I love that it is in a smaller, more intimate setting for people to view and that my grandfather had actually been on this particular ship. It’s very special to me, and it’s fabulous that the ship is still here. It makes me so proud that the sword can be here for people to see," he said.
Paul Mazourek, Maritime Museum Curator, highlighted the importance of this donation, “This donation is incredibly significant not only to the Whyalla Maritime Museum Collection but to the history of South Australia in general. It helps to preserve and share the legacy of those who served aboard the HMAS Whyalla during WWII. Commander Read’s sword is not only a historical artefact but also a symbol of the ship’s history and the role it played in Australia’s naval heritage,” he said.
The Whyalla Maritime Museum invites the community to visit and celebrate this piece of history once the exhibition is completed.
George Read and family.