Description

Description: RAN Tally Band – HMAS Wilcannia

Maker’s Name: N/A

Condition: Very Good

Comments: Royal Australian Navy – Tally Band – HMAS Wilcannia.

HMAS Wilcannia (FYP2, WN) was a 1,049-ton anti-submarine and patrol vessel of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
 
Wyrallah was built in 1934 by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen as a cargo passenger motor vessel for the North Coast Steam Navigation Company.
 
She plied the Richmond River to Sydney run. At the start of World War II, Wyrallah was requisitioned and was commissioned into the RAN as an anti-submarine vessel on 2 September 1940. Wyrallah was part of the search for survivors of HMAS Sydney November 1941, off the West Australian coast.
 
In February 1942, her name was changed to HMAS Wilcannia, to avoid confusion with the new Bathurst class corvette, HMAS Whyalla. During the later part of her service with the RAN, she was in New Guinea waters. HMAS Fremantle collided with Wilcannia on 27 July 1944. Wilcannia earned three battle honours for her wartime service, “Darwin 1942-43”, “Pacific 1942-44” and “New Guinea 1943”.