English: Able Seaman Arthur Thomas Wood was born 21 April 1921 at Berry in New South Wales, and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1938 at the age of 17. After training at HMAS CEREBUS he joined HMAS SYDNEY in early 1939. When World War II was declared, SYDNEY was ordered to serve in the Mediterranean for escort duty. Wood was aboard SYDNEY when it sank the Italian cruisers ESPERO and BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI in July 1940.

These photographs and postcards depict some of the sailors, equipment and activities of HMAS SYDNEY in the months prior to the sinking of the vessel. They provide an interesting commentary of the operations and work carried out aboard HMAS SYDNEY prior to its fateful end, such as the sinking of Italian ships ESPERO and BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI in the Mediterranean.
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30 September 1940. HMAS Stuart and Alexandria base RAF Sunderland aircraft of 230 Squadron sank the Gondar in 31, 33N, 28, 33E. Stuart and antisubmarine trawler Sindonis (440grt)) rescued forty seven survivors. Destroyer HMS Diamond arrived as Gondar was sinking.
Thank you for helping caption this important historical image.

Object number ANMS0845[036].