Kenneth Briggs DSC
Rochedale, Queensland
RAN 1941-1945

After finishing school, Ken Briggs was "filling in time" until he joined the Royal Australian Navy in March 1941. He trained for six months at the naval stations HMAS Rushcutter and HMAS Watson, qualifying as an anti-submarine detector operator.

Ken was then sent to Britain, on secondment to the Royal Navy. He spent most of World War II serving alongside British sailors. After further training at HMS Osprey, learning about various vessels operating in the Atlantic and the latest anti-submarine equipment and tactics, Ken was drafted to the motor launch HMML 469, a flotilla leader. He quickly picked up the nickname 'Aussie' as the only Australian on board.

HMML 469 conducted a number of convoy escorts and anti-submarine sweeps off Britain and then the flotilla was ordered to proceed to Singapore. However, the war in the Pacific forced a change in orders, and the motor launches were diverted to Gibraltar. 469 undertook a range of missions in the Mediterranean, including escorting a vessel transporting urgent aircraft spare parts, anti-submarine sweeps, sea rescues, clandestine trips to drop-off and pick-up secret agents near Portugal, and action against Italian frogmen operating from a vessel off Algeciras in Spain.

Ken recalled 469 responding to a call for help from a stricken Royal Navy cruiser, HMS Liverpool, struck by a torpedo. 469 headed in rough seas from Gibraltar towards Malta to meet up with the cruiser, but after several days of travel the crew heard that Liverpool had sunk before they could get to it. At one stage Ken, using his Asdic sonar equipment to detect submarines below water, reported detecting an incoming torpedo but was told by his superior not to worry as he believed the Asdic signal had probably been another vessel. Soon after, however, a torpedo from an enemy submarine narrowly missed 469, the launch saved by rough seas that meant it was riding higher in the waves than it would have been on a calmer day.

In November 1942, Ken took part in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. 469 provided a smokescreen for two ships carrying 400 commandos to seize Oran Harbour. The following day, the Vichy French counter-attacked and the battleship HMS Rodney was called to assist the Allied forces. 469 managed to avoid enemy fire and sailed to nearby Mers-el-Kebir to escort merchant ships.

In 1943, Ken was recommended for Officer Training School and given passage back to Britain. En route, he faced one of the most dangerous moments of his wartime career. His Landing Ship (Infantry) convoy was spotted and bombed by German Focke-Wulf Condor aircraft in the Bay of Biscay. Ken saw two ships sunk within seconds, leaving only three survivors, before his own vessel came under attack. None of the ships had any anti-aircraft guns and Ken says it was terrifying to watch the bombs falling and not being able to retaliate. His ship was straddled by two bombs landing on the port and starboard sides, and the explosion lifted the craft out of the water, but there was no damage or loss of life.

Once safely back in Britain, Ken completed his officer's course and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant. He then decided to train as an oxygen diver operating from midget submarines, figuring a background in port clearance would help him travel after the war. After training he was sent to the Pacific.

In mid-1945 Ken was selected for a mission to French Indo-China (now Vietnam) to cut underwater communication cables linking Singapore, Saigon and Hong Kong. The five-man crew of the midget submarine XE4 cut two cables, with Ken serving as the diver cutting the first - he still has the piece of cable he cut. The successful mission reduced the ability of the Japanese to communicate by cable, forcing them to rely on radio, which the Allies were able to intercept. For his part in the operation, Ken was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Ken was on his way to another mission to Singapore when the war ended. He was transferred back to the RAN before being discharged in December 1945.

After the war, Ken joined British United Shoe Machinery and remained with the company until 1983. He rose to branch manager and worked in Western Australia, NSW and Queensland.

In 1947, Ken married Doris Ross in Sydney. They have one daughter and two granddaughters. Ken still enjoys a round of golf and is a member of the RSL, Naval Warfare Officers' Association, and Submarines Association and a life member of the Rochedale Senior Citizens Club.

Ken believes the commemorative mission is a chance to remember fallen comrades from World War II.

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