Coussens, Albert Charles (Leading Signaller, b.1916 - d.1986)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of R20584 Leading Signaller Albert Charles Coussens, HMAS Stuart, Royal Australian Navy, Mediterranean Sea, 1940-1942.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one diary of Leading Signaller Albert Charles Coussens, containing entries dated between 10 June 1940 and 27 September 1942. This diary covers the period of Leading Signaller Coussens’ service on HMAS Stuart in the Mediterranean. In his diary, Leading Signaller Coussens writes about conducting sweeps for enemy ships, discovering minefields, numerous air raids by enemy aircraft, sinking enemy submarines, engagements with the Italian naval fleet, diet, ship repair and maintenance, the bombardment of Bardia, visiting Tobruk Harbour, rescuing survivors of sunken ships, travelling in convoys, escorting ships carrying Italian prisoners of war, weather conditions, landing troops at Bardia, the evacuation of troops from Greece, hearing news of the war, bombarding Vichy French Strongholds on the coast of Syria, evacuating wounded soldiers from Tobruk, and returning to Australia. This diary also includes one newspaper clipping, titled “Cheers for HMAS Stuart”, dated 12 April 1941.