The Whyalla Maritime Museum has been donated a special piece of wartime history – a naval sword, belonging to former commander Neven Robinson Read of the HMAS Whyalla during 1944-45.

The ceremonial sword was donated to the museum by Commander Read’s grandson George Read, who travelled with his family from his home in Victoria to deliver the donation by hand.

Read told InDaily he developed an interest in his grandfather’s history after being given the sword by his father.

“The more I looked, the more I was impressed by him. Doing research, I found that he had been in command of the HMAS Whyalla.”

“I looked at how I was going to look after the sword, because it was a little bit in need of some help, and I was a little bit out of my depth as to how that could happen. I thought a museum would be ideal.” Read said.

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Read said the Whyalla Maritime Museum was the clear choice for the sword since it displays the ship his grandfather commanded.

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Built in 1941, the HMAS Whyalla was the first of the 66 warships built in the Whyalla Shipyards, and Commander Read was the third of the ship’s four commanders.

The HMAS Whyalla is now the centrepiece attraction at the Maritime Museum since it was purchased by the Whyalla City Council in 1987.

“It seemed like a perfect fit,” he said.

“I love the idea that Whyalla’s a field town with good, hard-working people and I believe that that’s what the men of these corvettes were.

“It’s very special to me, and it’s fabulous that the ship is still here.”

Whyalla Maritime Museum Curator Paul Mazourek said the donation process started mid-way through 2024, when the Read family approached the museum with the sword hoping it could be of use.

“When this offer came from Victoria, I thought ‘oh my god, that’s amazing’. You don’t have too many official ceremonial swords from that time,” Mazourek said.

Besides the corvette itself, the sword is the first HMAS Whyalla commander artefact the museum has come to own and it now features alongside a photo of Commander Read in the museum’s WWII Gallery.

Mazourek said the sword is “an extremely important addition”.

“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 significance of this piece extends beyond Whyalla.”

The WWII Gallery featuring Commander Read’s sword exhibit is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, with Sunday and public holiday hours restricted to 10am – 4pm.

Tours of the HMAS are available through the Maritime Museum daily at 10.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Cost: Adult $17.00, Concession $14.00, Family $45.00 (2 adults & 2 children),Children $11.00.