Mutineers

The story of five young Australian sailors seeking adventure in a faroff war who fell foul of British Imperial authority and sparked oneof the most controversial events in the annals of the RAN.Mutineers explores the use and abuse of power by our military andpolitical leaders at a critical time in our nation’s history and reveals howleaders missed an opportunity to take control of our national destiny.Five young sailors, including a decorated war hero, were ringleadersof the most controversial mutiny in the annals of the Royal AustralianNavy in Fremantle Harbour on 1 June 1919. Severe gaol sentenceshanded out by a naval court martial sparked a political furore severalmonths before a Federal election.The two most senior naval officers in the RAN threatened to resignwhen the Hughes Government pressured the Admiralty in London toallow the sailors to be released early in time for Christmas. Three ofthe sailors went on to serve again in World War Two in the Middle East,Malaya and New Guinea. One became a prisoner of war of the Japanesein Changi and another served with the US Small Boat Service.All but one lived long and happy lives.