Aust. War Memorial, Canberra

CRS A 2663:

file: 883/2/11 "Investigation of rumours concerning Centaur."



01)Report 19 May '43 by K.A.Lodewyckx (?) WO11 OC "U" FS Section to Adv LHQ - Investigation of Runour Concerning Hospital Ship "Centaur" ...Original Report starts with a Col. Elliot and roumor tracked back to Cpl. Blair

02)Memorandum 19 May '43 from Van S. Merel-Smith, Colonel, G.S.C., Executive, G-2 to Colonel Diller, P.R.O. - refers to a conversation of that afternoon whereby Col Mills gave to Merle-Smith a statement, authorized by Gen. Northcott for General Blamey to the fact that there were also Medical details proceeding north on the Centaur.

03)Letter (ref. GS/328/Int) 20 May '43 from Col. DDMI to DMI - relates how Col. Fenton ADGMS and others heard rumors in Brisbane that Centaur must have been carrying troops...to combat rumours it was suggested that reference in the Press should be made concerning the carriage of a Medical Unit.

04)Note 20 May '43 from Maj-Gen. DCGS to CGS - covers "rumour" memo from DMI 20 May '43 and memo from DDMI concerning "Centaur Publicity".

05)Memorandum (ref. GS/328/Int) 28 May '43 from Major-General, Deputy Chief of the General Staff to D.G.P.R. - although reference was only made to medical personnel and not to units when news of the Centaur sinking was released to the public it is noted that the Sydney Morning Herald of 27 May '43 "Roll of Honour" p.10 published a missing notice for Marshall, John Bruce, 2/12 Fd. Amb.