Commando News Aug16

A campaigner for Krait
VALE DOUGLAS HERPS OAM
30 JULY 1923 – 23 APRIL 2015
Douglas Herps pictured at the museum in front of Krait, 2012.
Rohan Kelly/Newpix
The Museum was saddened to learn of the death of
former Z Special Unit Commando Douglas Herps OAM
on 23 April, aged 91.
For several years Douglas campaigned strongly to
ensure that the stories of the commando vessel MV
Krait and his fellow Z Special mates who served on it
are never forgotten.
On loan to the Aust ralian National Maritime
Museum from the Aust ralian War Memorial, Krait was
central to Operation
Jaywick, one of the most
daring and dangerous
covert missions under -
taken by Australian forces during World War II. From
Krait, which was disguised as a Japanese fishing vessel,
six commandos paddled folding canoes behind enemy
lines into Singapore Harbour under cover of darkness
for a secret raid that resulted in seven Japanese ships
being sunk or badly damaged.
Krait is currently on display at the Museum’s
wharves and for many years Douglas Herps lobbied
tirelessly for the vessel to be preserved as a permanent
memorial out of the water in a more appropriate and
solemn display.
Over the last 12 moths, the Museum and the
Australian War Memorial have taken significant steps to
realise Douglas’s vision. Douglas worked closely with
the Museum towards raising the funds needed to
preserve and display Krait in a new purpose-built
facility adjacent to th Museum’s Wharf 7 building.
Douglas’s mission has now been passed on to his
sons Nicholas and Jonathan, and the Museum is
committed to working with them and other
stakeholders to raise funds and support for the new
display.
Douglas Herps is survived by his wife, two children
and five grandchildren.
Shirani Athihas
(Courtesy SIGNALS)
COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 8 I August 2016 9