DECHAINEUX, Emile Frank Verlaine
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2 |
| Born: | Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, 3 October 1902 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Friends High School, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Occupation: | Permanent Naval Officer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Leyte Gulf, Philippines, 21 October 1944, aged 42 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Buried at sea |
| Memorials: | HMAS Australia (Honour Roll) |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Dec 1915: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Captain, Officer, HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2 |
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Help us honour Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed
Captain Emile Dechaineux, a Commanding Officer of HMAS Australia (II) during World War II.
During the evacuation of Dunkirk, France, from 29 May to 3 June 1940, Dechaineux had temporary command of the destroyer, HMS Vivacious, and completed five trips across the English Channel.
On 9 March 1944 he took command of HMAS Australia, and on 21 October that year, while supporting US landings at Leyte Gulf in the central Philippines, HMAS Australia was attacked by a Japanese Navy dive-bomber.
The plane deliberately crashed into the ship's foremast, and Dechaineux died of his wounds a few hours later. He was buried at sea along with 29 fellow officers and sailors. For his devotion to duty and seamanship, the US government posthumously awarded him an Officer of the Legion of Merit.
HMAS Dechaineux, the fourth of the six Collins Class submarines to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy, is named after Captain Dechaineux. The motto of HMAS Dechaineux is ‘Fearless and Ferocious’.
Biography contributed
Emile Frank Verlaine DECHAINEUX was born in Launceston, Tasmania on 3rd October, 1902
His parents were Florent Vincent Emile Lucien DECHAINEUX & Isabella (Ella) BRIANT
He married Mary HARBOTTLE (formerly PURBRICK) on 20th November, 1936 in St Davids Anglican Cathedral in Hobart
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