Remembering Tobruk
RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.Tobruk has become an Australian legend which may loom as large in the national consciousness as Gallipoli.
The Battle Class destroyer HMAS Tobruk [I] and the Amphibious Heavy Lift ship, HMAS Tobruk (II) were named Tobruk in the Royal Australian Navy in honour of the heroic defence by Australian troops at Tobruk, Libya, during World War II.
It was at Tobruk, in April 1941, that the until then victorious German troops received their first severe setback during World War II as the Tobruk Garrison showed the world that the Germans could be beaten by courage, enterprise and determination.
This memorial perpetuates the memory of and honours the 121 Port Pirie and District personnel who gallantly served at this famous siege and for so long defended Tobruk and held up the Axis advance on Egypt.
The ships crest, Faithful and Strong is truly representative of the Australians who provided the mainstay of the 242 day Tobruk defence.
