HMAS Lismore Memorial Tree

Across the Shrine’s 13-hectare Reserve are more than 320 trees. They are dedicated to the memory of our military units, battalions, squadrons and ships. They are a living a reminder of the thousands who have served and sacrificed in war, peacekeeping and peacemaking.

This tree is a Cupressus toruloasa, commonly known as a Bhutan cypress. It is an evergreen conifer that is native to the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. This tree is a memorial to those who served on HMAS Lismore in the Second World War.

HMAS Lismore was built as part of a large wartime ship building programme. It was known as a ‘minesweeper’. These ships were responsible for locating mines and submarines in Australian waters. Lismore’s overseas duty commenced in March 1941 when she left Australia for Singapore. From here, Lismore became involved in escort duties in the Indian Ocean. In 1943, Lismore was involved with the Eastern Mediterranean fleet and the invasion of Sicily. For the remainder of the war, she was involved in protecting convoys of ships between India and Africa.

HMAS Lismore had the reputation as a ‘lucky’ ship, escaping damage from numerous attacks while escorting other ships. She was the longest-serving ship outside Australian waters in the Second World War. At the end of the war, HMAS Lismore was removed from active service and given to the Dutch navy where she served for another 12 years as HMNS Batjan.

There is a service held at this tree each year in October.