Noel Phelan is a Team Leader at the Australian National Maritime Museum and has had a close connection with the water all his life. His first career was as a science anaboutd mathematics teacher before he joined IBM as a systems engineer spending 25 years in various technical and management positions. Noel is a Past President of Northbridge Rotary and is an active volunteer in retirement. Noel also spent several years with Marine Rescue and the Rural Fire Service.
Gallipoli is remembered for the troops who landed there, but much less is generally known about the ships that took them there and those that evacuated them at the end of the campaign.
The Royal Australian Navy played a significant role in the Gallipoli campaign, primarily through the efforts of the submarine HMAS AE2 and the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (RANBT). HMAS AE2 was the first allied submarine to successfully navigate the Dardanelles, while the RANBT provided crucial support at Suvla Bay.
Over 250 ships were involved in landing the ANZACS and their supplies. Wharves were built and the wounded were taken from them back onto the ships for evacuation. When a decision was made to evacuate the troops, over 100 ships were used to move the troops out at night.
Royal Australian Navy forces were first in and last out at Gallipoli. Noel brought it all to life for members at his recent talk for the club.
