Dyker, Bruce Sydney (Telegraphist, b.1920 - d.2007)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of PM/V98 Telegraphist Bruce Stanley Dyker, HMAS Castlemaine and HMAS Swan, Royal Australian Navy, Australia, New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies, 1942-1980; 2015.

Wallet 1 of 3 consists of four diaries of Telegraphist Bruce Stanley Dyker, diaries numbered 1-4.

The first diary contains entries dated between 26 August and 7 November 1942, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s early service on HMAS Castlemaine in Australia and New Guinea during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about embarking from Sydney, the journey to Queensland, sightseeing in Townsville, travelling in a convoy to Port Moresby, missing his wife, his first impressions of New Guinea, ferrying troops, having recreation leave, participating in training exercises, going on anti-shipping patrols, travelling to Darwin, seeing the destruction caused by Japanese bombing, receiving mail from home, conducting mine sweeping, Japanese air raids, and picking up passages in Timor. This diary also contains a small card, and one page of notes explaining naval slang terms.

The second diary contains entries dated between 8 November 1942 and 16 March 1943, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Castlemaine in Australia and New Guinea during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about ship maintenance, exploring shipwrecks, napping on the deck, getting sunburnt, Japanese air raids, being on watch duty, doing anti-submarine patrols, hearing news of the sinking of HMAS Armidale, taking on wounded sailors from another ship, maintaining signalling equipment, escorting damaged ships to safe ports, working to send and receive messages from the ship, playing sports, meeting friends, seeing films, swimming at the beach, rough weather conditions, transporting Air Force personnel, and interacting with communities of Aboriginal people.

The third diary contains entries dated between 17 March and 18 July 1943, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Castlemaine in Australia during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about getting sun stroke, meeting local Aboriginal communities, maintaining signalling equipment, playing sports, transporting supplies, de-cockroaching the mess, seeing films, receiving mail from home, weather conditions, seeing Allied and enemy aircraft overhead, participating in training exercises, and the beginning of their journey home.

The fourth diary contains entries dated between 28 November 1943 and 25 June 1944, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Castlemaine in Australia and New Guinea during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about leaving Sydney harbour, travelling to New Guinea, his impressions of Milne Bay, assisting to free ships stuck on a reef, ship maintenance, being ill, recovering in hospital, Christmas celebrations, travelling back to Milne Bay, re-joining the crew of HMAS Castlemaine, travelling between New Guinea and Queensland, visiting an Army training camp in Queensland, sightseeing, towing a ship to Port Moresby, transporting passengers along the northern coast of New Guinea, seeing old battlefields, traveling through dangerous waters, participating in training exercises, recreational activities, escorting convoys of Allied ships, and returning to Australia.

Wallet 2 of 3 consists of four diaries of Telegraphist Bruce Stanley Dyker, diaries numbered 5-8.

The fifth diary contains entries dated between 25 July 1944 and 3 February 1945, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Castlemaine and HMAS Swan in Australia and New Guinea during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about re-joining the HMAS Castlemaine after having leave, travelling up the west coast of Australia, receiving mail from home, arriving in Darwin, leaving the HMAS Castlemaine, travelling overland to Sydney, seeing his family, joining the crew of HMAS Swan, arriving in New Guinea, patrolling close to enemy territory, bombarding enemy positions, ship maintenance, social events with Army personnel, playing sports, working in the wireless office on the ship, and an incident on the ship involving stolen alcohol.

The sixth diary contains entries dated between 5 February and 26 April 1945, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Swan in New Guinea during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about spending recreational time on shore, playing sports, supporting Australian Army forces in Wewak, New Guinea, sitting an exam in telegraphy, bombardments on enemy positions, working in shifts in the telegraphy office, rescuing marooned servicemen, seeing films, hearing news of the birth of his daughter, submarine scares, and performing patrols.

The seventh diary contains entries dated between 27 April and 18 June 1945, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Swan in New Guinea and Australia during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about doing anti-submarine patrols, the bombardment of enemy positions, sharing meals with Army personnel, assisting with an Army landing at Wewak, swimming, seeing the aftermath of fighting with the Japanese, recreational events, towing HMAS Colac to Townsville, and travelling to Sydney for leave.

The eighth diary contains entries dated between 6 September and 8 October 1945, and covers Telegraphist Dyker’s service on HMAS Swan in New Ireland and Australia during that period. In this diary, Telegraphist Dyker writes about departing from Australia, his feelings regarding service after the cessation of the war, his daily routines, arriving in New Ireland, sightseeing, meeting friends, interacting with Japanese soldiers and sailors, attending a formal surrender ceremony, recreational activities, receiving mail from his family, and returning to Australia. This diary also contains an addition by Telegraphist Dyker, written in 1980. This addition is a retrospective account of his service during the Second World War, and includes mention of the physical, mental and emotional struggles of naval personnel, both during and subsequent to service.

Wallet 3 of 3 consists of one typed transcript of diaries of Telegraphist Bruce Stanley Dyker. This transcript was compiled by Telegraphist Dyker’s niece in 2015. This transcript also includes copies of photographs and additional notes relating to the service of Telegraphist Dyker.

Telegraphist Bruce Sydney Dyker enlisted to the Royal Australian Navy on 14 January 1942, after previously working as a qualified telegraphist in a Melbourne Post office and serving in the militia. He served on the corvette HMAS Castlemaine in Australia and New Guinea. In September 1944, Telegraphist Dyker transferred to HMAS Swan. He served on this vessel in Australia, New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies until January 1946. Telegraphist Dyker was discharged on 27 February 1946.