General News
21 February, 2026
Veterans' Voices: Vickers Leslie McKay
Born in Horsham in 1925, Vickers Leslie McKay went on to serve in the Royal Australian Navy during WWII — from HMAS Cerberus to Pacific deployments aboard HMAS Quickmatch.
Born in Horsham Victoria on 22 March 1925 to Ruby McKay and Leslie Vickers.
Vickers Leslie McKay enlisted in Royal Australian Navy Reserve on at Port Melbourne. His Service Number was 32822.
He started his service on HMAS Cerberus Naval Base on 21 October 1942.
He was completing his initial training. On 17 February and again on 23 October 1943 he had posting to HMAS Lonsdale Naval Base.
There three other postings between 27 February 1943 to 16 February 1944. (Service record unreadable except for dates).
On 2 December 1944 Vickers was posted to HMAS Quickmatch which was patrolling the Pacific between 1944–45".
He took leave on 11 June 1945 and at the end of leave rejoined HMAS Quickmatch.
His record places him in Military District of Moratai on 11 January 1946.
Vickers was posted to HMAS Gilolo on 24 July 1946. Then HMAS Kanimbla on 27 January 1946.
HMAS Kanimbla
Between October 1946 and June 1948, she made a number of voyages between Sydney and Japan transporting members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces.
Diamantina on 4 December 1946.
HMAS Diamantina
HMAS Diamantina remained in Sydney until 1 February 1946, when she departed for a patrol in New Guinea waters.
Diamantina returned to Sydney in mid-June, and after sailing to Williamstown was paid off into reserve on 9 August 1946.
The ship was awarded the battle honour "Pacific 1945" for her wartime service.
Vickers Leslie McKay was reposted to HMAS Quickmatch on 9 February 1946.
HMAS Quickmatch made several deployments to Japanese and Korean waters, with the rest of her time spent operating around Australia. Then to HMAS Kuttabul Naval Base on 18 May 1946.
HMAS Kuttabul
HMAS Kuttabul is located at Potts Point in Sydney, HMAS Kuttabul provides administrative, training and logistics support to Defence personnel within the Sydney area.
Kuttabul is the administrative centre for Fleet Base East, and overlooks Garden Island, which has strong links to Australia’s maritime history, and which is home to Australia’s only large ship graving dock.
Further postings saw Vickers at HMAS Penguin Naval Base on 18 May 1946.
The primary role of HMAS Penguin is to provide trained personnel to the fleet. It is the home of the ADF Diving School (ADFDS), the RAN Hydrographic School and the RAN Medical School.
Vickers was posted to HMAS Toowoomba on 23 May 1946.
Vickers final posting in the Reserve Navy was LST 3022 on 11 July 1945.
HMAS Toowoomba
In June 1946, HMAS Toowoomba, a Bathurst-class corvette, was preparing to be transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN).
After he was discharged from the Roal Australian Naval Reserve, Leslie re-enlisted in Royal Australian Navy on 22 April 1946 (another date has this as 15 April 1946) for service of 2 years. His Service Number was PM 5232. His rank was Able Seaman.
Vickers served on the LST 3002 on 12 July 1946, then he took leave and after leave returned to serve on LST 3002.
Vickers was posted to HMAS Penguin.
Base on the 7 January 1947. From 7 May to 1 November 1947 Vickers served on LST 3002 and LST 3035. He was transferred Naval Wing on 24 November 1947. He further served on LST 3035 on 23 December 1947.
His posting at discharge was 3035 Landing Ship Tank. He was discharged at HMAS Lonsdale Base 3 April 1942.
Landing Ship Tank
A Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is a ship first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto a low-slope beach with no docks or piers.
The shallow draft and bow doors and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach.
The LST had a highly specialized design that enabled ocean crossings as well as shore groundings.
The bow had a large door that could open, deploy a ramp and unload vehicles.
The LST had a flat keel that allowed the ship to be beached and stay upright. The twin propellers and rudders had protection from grounding.
The LSTs served across the globe during World War II, including in the Pacific War and in the European theatre.
HMAS LST 3022 & LST 3035
HMAS LST 3022 was a Mark 3 Landing Ship Tank (LST) operated by the Royal Navy (as HMS LST 3022) during World War II, and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1946 until 1954.
On Jul 1, 1946, LST 3022, LST 3035 were two of the landing ships tanks loaned to the RAN by the RN.
HMA LST 3035, ex HM LST 3035, was commissioned into the RAN in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) while in Walkers Graving Dock. She was later renamed HMAS Lae.
Naval Cooks
During World War II, naval cooks, like other enlisted personnel, played a vital role in the war effort, ensuring the sustenance of their fellow sailors.
Their work was crucial for maintaining morale and physical well-being, especially during extended deployments at sea.
Responsibilities of a Naval Cook included food Preparation.
Naval cooks were responsible for preparing meals for the entire crew, often in changing conditions and with limited resources.
There tasks included mess management. They managed the galley, ensuring proper storage, sanitation, and inventory of food supplies.
Naval Cooks had to be able to adapt and be resourceful and adaptable, using available ingredients to create varied and nutritious meals, even when supplies were scarce or unfamiliar.
They helped to maintaining morale. A well-fed crew was a happier and more effective crew, and the quality of food served by the cooks played a significant role in maintaining morale.
Their training and advancement included basic training. Naval cooks typically underwent basic training similar to other enlisted personnel.
They were also given specialized training specialized training in food preparation, hygiene, and galley management.
Cooks could advance in rank within the commissary branch, achieving positions such as Chief Petty Officer Cook.
The impact of the War meant there was increased demand.
The expansion of naval forces during World War II created a greater demand for cooks who could meet the challenges of wartime.
Naval cooks faced challenges such as limited resources, the need to adapt to different locations and conditions, and the potential dangers of wartime service.
Despite these challenges, naval cooks played a vital role in supporting the war effort by ensuring the well-being of their fellow sailors and did their duty contributing to victory.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library.
Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.