HMAT A34 Persic
From Our Contribution
 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Builder/Built | 1899 Harland & Wolff of Belfast |
| Type | SS Troopship |
| Displacement | 12,042 tons |
| Speed | 13.5 knots |
Remarks
Owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, of Liverpool (White Star Line). It was leased to the Commonwealth until 8 Nov 1917. The Persic also carried troops to the Boer War, and in 1900 returned sick Australian soldiers from South Africa to Australia.
Fitted out to carry 40 Officers and 520 troops or 491 horses. Departed Sydney 21 Dec 1914 for Alexandria with 5th LHR as part of the second convoy; 10 Aug 1915 from Melbourne with reinforcements for the 4th LHR, 18 Nov 1915 from Sydney with the 5th Field Artillery Brigade; 3 Jun 1916 from Melbourne; 22 Dec 1916 reinforcements for the 4th LHR, calling at Fremantle for Medical personnel; 29 Aug 1917 Medical officers from Melbourne, and although no longer under Australian control, Medical staff from Sydney on 21 Mar 1918.
In September 1918 she was torpedoed off Sicily, but reached port safely. Released back to her owners in 1920, she suffered unrepairable engine wear in 1926 and in July 1927 was sent to the Netherlands to be broken up.
List of soldiers carried
29 Dec 1916 - 3 Mar 1917 Fremantle to Devonport, England