WAR AT SEA CAPTAIN HECTOR WALLER
Captain Hector ‘Hec’ Waller was one of the most outstanding officers of his generation. Senior AWM historian, Dr Karl James, details an inspirational leader and an aggressive commander.
HMAS Perth’s forward 6-inch gun turrets. (COURTESY AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL [AWM])
Captain Hector Waller on the bridge of HMAS Stuart, in the Mediterranean, 31 December 1940. (AWM) Hector Waller was a welldecorated sailor. Beginning the Second World War in command of HMAS Stuart, the then 39-year-old lieutenant commander showed such courage, enterprise and devotion to duty whilst serving in the Mediterranean, that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Bar.
Waller’s introduction to the Royal Australian Navy was unremarkable – he entered the Royal Australian Naval College in 1914 and upon graduating in 1918 was appointed to the dreadnought battleship HMS Agincourt. This meant service with the British Grand Fleet. Waller remained in the RAN during the interwar period and became a signals officer, spending much time with the Royal Navy. It was not until 1937 that he was given a ship to command, when he became the CO of the destroyer HMS Brazen.
“I know full well that if the [enem…
