Description
Description: RAN Tally Band – HMAS Curlew – circa 1970s
Maker’s Name: N/A
Condition: Very Good
Comments: Royal Australian Navy – Tally Band – HMAS Curlew – circa 1970s.
HMAS Curlew (M 1121) was a Ton class minesweeper operated by the Royal Navy (as HMS Chediston) from 1953 to 1961, and the Royal Australian Navy from 1962 to 1991. During her Australian service, the ship operated off Malaysia during the Indonesia/Malaysia confrontation during the mid 1960s, then was modified for use as a minehunter. Delays in bringing a replacement class into service kept Curlew operational until 1990, and she was sold into civilian service in 1991.
The ship was one of six sold to the Royal Australian Navy for AUD 5.5 million in 1961. Chediston was modified for tropical conditions, and commissioned on 21 August 1962 as HMAS Curlew.
During the mid-1960s, Curlew was one of several ships operating in support of the Malaysian government during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation. This service was later recognised with the battle honour “Malaysia 1964-66”.
In the late 1960s, Curlew and sister ship Snipe were modified for use as minehunters.
