b. 07/04/1932 Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland. d. 10/02/1964 off New South Wales, Australia.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 10/02/1964 off New South Wales, Australia.
William J Condon AM
William was born in Dublin on 7th April 1932, the son of William Joseph and Jennie Condon.
Before emigrating to Australia, Condon worked for the Phoenix Publishing Company in Dublin. Following this, he was sponsored by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, and arrived in Melbourne on 14th February 1952.
He subsequently enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy on 15th April 1952. Condon studied as an Electrical Mechanic, specializing in Electronic Warfare. He remained with the RAN for Twelve years until the night of 10 February 1964.
On the 10th February 1964 HMAS Voyager was at sea, off the south coast of NSW, exercising in company with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. The two ships collided at approximately 21:00 that evening, cutting the HMAS Voyager was in half, by the force of the collision.
William Joseph Condon was below deck with Jonathan Rogers GC who was unable to escape the sinking ship, due to his physical size. Condon chose to stay with Rogers and assist the escape of young trainee sailors.
He was one of the 82 men from Voyager listed as missing or killed that night. In recognition of his gallantry in saving life at sea he was posthumously awarded the Albert Medal.
On May 3rd 1965, the Governor-General of Australia, Viscount D’Lisle VC presented the AM to Shirley Condon in Canberra.
AM CITATION:
The Albert Medal (Posthumous) Electrical Mechanic (Electronics) First Class William Joseph CONDON, R. 47279
BURIAL LOCATION: LOST AT SEA.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVAL HERITAGE COLLECTION.
Acknowledgement:
Michelle Smith – Image of William Condon AM and other images.