HMAS SYDNEY (II) in a sea battle with an Italian destroyer in November 1940 (26767536873) (cropped)

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 CERBERUS 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.
This image shows the Italian destroyer Artigliere, disabled by HMS Ajax during the Battle of Cape Passero, on the morning of 12 October 1940, a short time before being sunk by HMS York.

Object number ANMS0845[010].