Photograph of 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship "Centaur", 1943, OMEG/80

On 12 May 1943 the hospital ship "Centaur" was sailing unescorted off the Queensland coast when it was sunk by a Japanese submarine. The ship was carrying crew, normal staff and equipment, but no patients. Of the 332 persons on board, only 64 survived. Sister Ellen Savage, was the only one of 12 nurses to survive, and although injured herself, gave help to the other survivors. She was awarded the George Medal for her service.