McGrath, George Wilfred (Private, b.1917 - d.2006)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX33029 Private George Wilfred McGrath, 2/12 Field Ambulance, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, 1998.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one memoir of Private George Wilfred McGrath regarding his experiences of the sinking of the 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship “Centaur”. Private McGrath was serving with 2/12 Field Ambulance on board the Centaur when it was sunk by the Japanese on 14 May 1943. In his memoir, he writes about their embarkation from Sydney, an alarm (assumed to be a drill), the explosion of a torpedo on the hull, jumping from the ship, finding a raft with a number of other survivors, being surrounded by sharks, having limited rations, spending a cold night on the water, and being rescued by the destroyer, USS Mugford, and recovering in hospital. Private McGrath then writes briefly about his subsequent service and civil life.

Private George Wilfred McGrath enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 13 July 1940. He was assigned to the Australian Army Service Corps, and subsequently attached to 2/12 Field Ambulance for motor transport duties. On 12 May 1943, he embarked on the 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship “Centaur” with other members of his unit for duty in New Guinea. On 14 May, despite the ship being clearly marked as a hospital vessel, the “Centaur” was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Of the 332 people on board, only 64 survived, including George McGrath. He was rescued by the American destroyer USS Mugford. After a period of recovery and training, Private McGrath served with his unit in the Netherlands East Indies and Borneo. He was discharged on 18 December 1945.