Paul Bracken & Kevin WilliamsPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates two Goulburn District Ambulance officers who were killed on the Centaur when it was sunk in May 1943.
The Centaur sailed unescorted from Sydney carrying her crew and normal staff, as well as stores and equipment of the 2nd / 12th Field Ambulance but no patients. It was sunk without warning by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine approximately 75 kilometres east north-east of Brisbane. Of the 332 persons on board, only 64 survived.
Paul Joseph and John William Bracken, sons of the late Mr. R. Bracken, of Yass and Mrs. M. Bracken of Arncliffe were among the many who lost their lives when the hospital ship Contaur was torpedoed. Paul, 25 years of age, was an ambulance officerr attached to the Goulburn District Ambulance, and John, 21 years, was employed as a junior clerk in the Railway Department, prior to enlistment in the 2/12 Field Ambulance. They are survived by their mother, sisters, Trixie (Bondi), Mary (AWAS), brothers, Frank (Cooma), Joseph (RAAF). George, Peter, and Thomas (Arncliffe). Paul also leaves a young widow.
Catholic Weekly (Sydney), 2 September 1943.
Centaur Article 1943Location
| Address: | Meehan Street, Ambulance Station, Yass, 2582 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -34.841763 Long: 148.912053 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Military |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 14-May-1943 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 14-May-1943 |
Dedication
This stone was dedicated to the memory of Ambulance Officers
Paul Bracken and Kevin Williams
Who lost their lives when the Hospital Ship "Centaur" was sunk by enemy action on 14th May 1943.
