Hector Waller

Captain Hector Macdonald Laws Waller, DSO and Bar (1900 – March 1, 1942) was the captain of the light cruiser HMAS Perth in the Second World War. Waller went down with his ship (HMAS Perth accompanied by the USS Houston) when it encountered a Japanese invasion fleet consisting of two cruisers and twelve destroyers in the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Early life

Hector Waller was born in Benalla during April, 1900.

Military Service

Waller entered the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) in 1914 and quickly established himself as a promising future officer. During his time at RANC he became cadet-captain and later chief cadet-captain.

In 1918, as a Midshipman, he was appointed to his first ship, HMS Agincourt. As a Lieutenant, Waller became "Year" Officer at the RANC in 1923, and in 1925 he completed his "dagger" signal course.

During 1934 while serving in HMS Resource and then HMS Brazen, Waller was promoted to the rank of Commander. At this time he was in the Mediterranean during the Spanish Civil War. From 1934 to 1936 he was Commander of the RANC and at the outbreak of World War II he was appointed to command HMAS Stuart and Commander of the Scrap Iron Flotilla.

In 1940 he was promoted to Captain of the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla and played an important part in Mediterranean operations. In September, 1940 Waller was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for "courageous enterprise and devotion to duty". During this period Waller was also Mentioned in Despatches twice, once for work with the inshore squadron co-operating with the Army in Cyrenaica and another for good service in Greek waters. Waller earned a Bar to his DSO during the Battle of Matapan.

In October, 1941, he took command of HMAS Perth and was lost with his ship when the cruiser was sunk in a battle against an overwhelming Japanese force on 1 March, 1942. A third Mention in Despatches was awarded posthumously.

HMAS Waller launched in 1999 was the third of the Collins class submarines to enter service was named in honour of Captain Waller.