On 12 May 1943 the Centaur sailed unescorted from Sydney at 0945 hours carrying her crew and normal staff, as well as stores and equipment of the 2/12th Field Ambulance but no patients. It was sunk without warning by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on 14 May 1943 at approximately 0400 hours, its position being approximately 27°17' S, 153°58' E about 50 miles east north-east of Brisbane. The wreck was discovered in 1995.
Of the 332 persons on board, only 64 survived. These survivors spent 35 hours on rafts before being rescued.
Sister Ellen Savage, the only one of twelve nursing sisters on board to survive, though injured herself, gave great help to the other survivors and was awarded the George Medal for this work.
Service Record
Name - SAVAGE, ELLEN
Service - Australian Army
Service Number - NX76584 (N270911)
Date of Birth - 17 Oct 1912
Place of Birth - QUIRINDI, NSW
Date of Enlistment - 18 Nov 1941
Locality on Enlistment - GORDON, NSW
Place of Enlistment - SYDNEY, NSW
Next of Kin - SAVAGE, HENRY
Date of Discharge - 8 Mar 1946
Rank - Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge - HOSPITAL SHIP ORANJE
WW2 Honours and Gallantry - George Medal
Prisoner of War - No
WW2 Nominal Roll DVA - Publications - The Sinking of the Centaur