• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Australian National Submarine Museum
  • Explore
    • Submarines
    • Serving Australia
    • Places
    • People
    • Art
  • Learn
    • Research
    • Technology
    • Science
    • Links
    • Undersea Outreach
  • About Us
    • Organisation
    • News + Events
    • Membership
    • Fundraising
    • Contact
Home » Explore » People

Explore the People of Australia’s submarines.

  • Lieutenant Commander Besant
  • Lieutenant Commander Ken Hudspeth DSC**
  • Lieutenant Commander Max Shean DSO* US Bronze Star
  • Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood
  • Vice Admiral Sir Ian McIntosh
  • Vice Admiral Ian MacDougall AC, AFSM

Australians have served in Submarines since 1913

Australians have served in submarines for over 100 years. Lieutenant Commander Frank Getting was the first Australian to qualify to command a submarine in 1928. (https://www.navy.gov.au/biography/captain-frank-edmund-getting)

Australians served with the Royal Navy in WWII

While Australia did not have submarines in World War II, many Australians served with distinction on exchange with the Royal Navy or in some cases as members of the Royal Navy. Lieutenant Henty Henty-Creer RNVR was one such person. He commanded HMS X5 in the attack on Tirpitz, where he lost his life. (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1431252/)

Lieutenant Commander Besant

Hailed as “one of the most skilful, alert and fearless” of Britain’s Royal Navy submariners, Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Flemming Besant was destined to play a central role in Australia’s submarine history.

Discover more

Ships Company HMAS AE1 – Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Besant (seated in second row fourth from the viewer’s left)
Image provided by the Sea Museum
Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Robert Hudspeth DSC**
Image provided by the Royal Australian Navy

Lieutenant Commander Ken Hudspeth DSC**

Following the outbreak of war, Hudspeth joined the Navy and was appointed as a probationary sub-lieutenant, RANVR on 15 July 1940.

It was in mid-1942 that his true calling emerged after a somewhat mysterious appeal for volunteers for “special and hazardous service”. With no specific details of the actual duties, applicants were told only that they must be; “below 24 years of age on selection, unmarried, be good swimmers and of strong and enduring physique”.

Discover more

Lieutenant Commander Max Shean DSO* US Bronze Star

Western Australian Max Shean is a distinguished submariner recognised for his hazardous achievements aboard the X and XE-class midget submarines during WWII.

Discover more

Lieutenant Commander Max Shean DSO*

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood USN
Image provided by the United States Navy Institute

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Charles Andrew Lockwood had an extraordinary 35-year naval career that spanned two World Wars and saw him rise to the rank of Vice Admiral, including a key Australian posting

Discover more

Vice Admiral Sir Ian McIntosh

Sir Ian Stewart McIntosh proved his mettle at just 21 during an epic lifeboat voyage at the height of World War ll. He would go on to become a submarine ace and a Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy

Discover more

Vice Admiral Ian MacDougall
Image provided by the Royal Australian Navy

Vice Admiral Ian MacDougall AC, AFSM

During 1985 MacDougall commanded the Australian Submarine Squadron based in HMAS Platypus at Neutral Bay, Sydney. Promoted Commodore in 1986, MacDougall was appointed Director General Joint Operations and Plans for the Australian Defence Force.

Discover more

icon

Explore

icon

Learn

icon

About us

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Welcome to Country.

Australian National Submarine Museum acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live and gather as employees, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

  • Explore
    • Submarines
    • Serving Australia
    • Places
    • People
    • Art
  • Learn
    • Research
    • Technology
    • Science
    • Links
    • Undersea Outreach
  • About Us
    • Organisation
    • News + Events
    • Membership
    • Fundraising
    • Contact
Copyright © 2023 Australian National Submarine Museum. All rights reserved. Log in

Privacy policy