Captain (Capt) Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux (Dishy) on the quarterdeck of HMAS Australia on ...

Captain (Capt) Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux (Dishy) on the quarterdeck of HMAS Australia on its voyage to the Philippines, prior to the battle of Leyte Gulf. Capt Dechaineux, with the aid of large maps, pointers and a public address (PA) system, is providing the ship's company with an update on the war in their theatre of operations. Capt Dechaineux, a graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College in 1919, he had periods of service with both the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal Navy (RN) prior to and during the Second World War. While with the RN he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for destroying German E-boats after Dunkirk. Returning to Australia he took part in the Gasmata bombardment while commanding officer of HMAS Warramunga. In March 1944 he assumed command of HMAS Australia and took part in the Hollandia landings and the bombardment of Wakde and Aitape, and the landings at Biak, Noemfoor and Morotai. Capt Dechaineux died of wounds received during the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines on the 21 October 1944 when a Japanese Kamikaze aircraft struck the ship's foremast resulting in fires on the bridge. Capt Dechaineux was posthumously awarded the American Legion of Merit in the Degree of Officer. More recently, in 1990, it was announced that a Collins Class submarine to be built at the Australian Submarine Corporation in South Australia was to be named HMAS Dechaineux. Prefer image P02845.001.