PublishedAllen & Unwin, September 2020 |
ISBN9781760297145 |
FormatSoftcover, 344 pages |
Dimensions23.4cm × 15.3cm |
Just after midnight on 1 March 1942, Australia's most renowned cruiser, HMAS Perth, was sunk by Japanese naval forces in the Sunda Strait off the coast of Java. Of the 681 men aboard, 328 survived the sinking and made it to shore-and one cat. Her name was Red Lead, and she was the ship's cat, beloved by the crew and by the Perth'slegendary captain Hector Waller.
But surviving shellfire, torpedoes and the fierce currents of the Sunda Strait was only the beginning of the terrible trials Red Lead and the surviving crew were to face over the next three-and-a-half years. From Java to Changi and then on the Thai-Burma Railway, Red Lead was to act as a companion, mascot and occasional protector for a small group of sailors who made it their mission to keep her alive in some of the most hellish prison camps on earth.
Red Lead's extraordinary story, of courage, loyalty and love amidst battle, imprisonment and death, is brought vividly to life by bestselling author Roland Perry.
Marina has worked in books for most of her working life. She enjoys reading historical fiction, fantasy, biographies and history.
The mascot of HMAS Perth - Find out how Red Lead got her name.
A fearless cat that attached a King cobra, challenged a tiger and remained loyal to her carer.
Easy to read and beautifully written.
