Harold (Hal) Farncomb

Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb was a career officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1913 to 1951. He served 6 difficult years during World War II, commanding many different ships. Harold was known and respected for his courage, fairness and exceptional leadership. Throughout his naval career, he was known as 'Hal'. In combat, he earned the nickname 'Fearless Frank'.

Early life and education

Harold Bruce Farncomb was born in North Sydney on 28 February 1899. He was the second child of Frank Farncomb, a timber surveyor, and his wife, Helen Sampson. The family lived in the Sydney suburb of Gordon.

Harold attended Gordon Public School and then Sydney Boys High School.

At 13, Harold enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in December 1912. He was in the first intake of the Royal Australian Naval College in 1913. He excelled in his academic studies, played for the cricket team and topped his final year in 1916.

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Early naval career

In 1917, during World War I, Harold was made a midshipman. Then he sent to England to train with the British Royal Navy (RN). Harold was appointed to the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign and then to HMS Whale for more training.

Harold was appointed as a sub-lieutenant in 1918. Showing his academic ability and intelligence, he received the maximum of 5 first-class certificates for his lieutenant studies and became a lieutenant in 1920.

Back in Australia, in 1922, Harold served as an intelligence officer on Commodore Sir Percy Addison's staff on HMAS Melbourne. He received a commendation for his intelligence work.

In 1923, Harold returned to England to attend a war staff training course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich. After graduating in 1924, he worked in the RN Admiralty for 6 months, becoming staff officer (operations and intelligence) for Rear Admiral William Wordsworth Fisher.

Returning to Australia in 1925, Harold became a staff officer (operations) to the Commodore Commanding the Australia Squadron (CCAS) at sea.

In 1927, Harold, 28, was promoted to lieutenant-commander. All reports on his performance rated Harold as highly intelligent and a good leader with above-average to exceptional capability.

That same year, Harold married Jean Ross-Nott, whom he met in England.

Jean had an understanding of military service because her brother, Lieutenant Edward Ross-Nott MC, died in World War I. Jean's family was well-known in Sydney because she was the great-granddaughter of merchant David Jones, the founder of the Australian department store. Jean, her mother and her sisters regularly appeared in the society pages of newspapers.

Harold and Jean's wedding was reported in many Australian newspapers. In naval tradition, officers at the wedding formed an 'arch of steel' with their swords outside the church for the couple. Lieutenant John Collins (later Rear-Admiral) was Harold's best man.

Under an arch of swords

In 1927, Harold returned to England to serve on HMS Repulse. He completed a one-year course at the Imperial Defence College in London and was promoted to lieutenant commander. After this, Harold was posted to the Navy Office in Melbourne. While there in 1932, he was promoted to commander.

Harold joined HMAS Australia for the first time in 1933 as executive officer. The crew thought he was strict but fair. His midshipmen called him 'Uncle Hal' and he improved morale on the ship. Impressed with Harold's performance, his commanding officer, Captain William MacLeod RN, recommended Harold for accelerated promotion. MacLeod's report reads:

an exceptionally able Executive Officer … exceptionally quick brain. Good leader with a splendid influence in the ship.

In 1934, the Duke of Gloucester (later Governor-General of Australia) travelled in the Australia to England. Harold was appointed a Member of the Order of Victoria in 1935 for service given during the voyage.

From 1935 to 1937, Harold served in the Naval Intelligence Division at the RN Admiralty in London. He showed a 'marked ability' in this work.

At the end of 1937, Harold was the first Royal Australian Navy College graduate to become a captain. He was given the HMAS Yarra as his first command. In a press statement, the acting Minister for Defence said:

it was a red letter day for the Australian Navy as it was the first time a Jervis Bay boy had attained the rank of captain.

Harold had clearly shown that he was an accomplished and intelligent naval officer and could have chosen to be a career staff officer. But he had also gained much experience at sea and had spent more than 7 years in the RN. His expertise would prove to be invaluable in wartime. His command and leadership ability, decisiveness and experience working with other navies would benefit his ships and men.

Intelligence work

Intelligence work clearly held an interest for Harold.

From 1935 to 1937, he served on the Americas desk of Royal Admiralty intelligence. In that role, Harold liaised with the US Naval attaché in England and with Latin American navies. While there, he applied for a naval interpreter position for the German language. His application was declined, although he later learned he had scored 95% on the entry exam.

Convinced that there would be a war and wanting to improve his German, Harold and Jean went to Germany in 1937.

Travelling to Germany at that time was a courageous act. In 1937, the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi party) was in power and Adolph Hitler was the chancellor. It's the same year that Buchenwald concentration camp opened and Hitler stated his intentions to acquire lebensraum or 'living space' for Germany.

After the sinking of HMAS Sydney in 1941, Harold could interrogate German survivors of HSK Kormoran. The Kormoran attacked and sank the Sydney, killing 645 men. Most of the Kormoran's crew survived.

Farncomb was a very good interrogator, I'll never forget it. One came in and gave the 'Heil Hitler' salute and … Farncomb lost his temper and really cut him down to size. 'How dare you mention that name on this ship.' But others who … were told all they had to do was give their service number, their name and age. But Farncomb wheedled it out of them, how the ship was sunk.

[Edgar Blau, veteran of HMAS Canberra, 2004 interview]

As commanding officer of HMAS Australia in 1941, Harold had to act as prosecutor in a court-martial. Two men on the Australia were accused of murder. Harold secured convictions, but he appealed their sentences as their commanding officer. Their death sentences were changed to life imprisonment.

Significant wartime actions

Harold was in continuous command of ships at sea during the war years, including HMA Ships Australia, Canberra and Perth. All were involved in significant actions.

He was known and highly respected for his command and seamanship, if not always well-liked. He seemed to be a taciturn person who could be critical of others and abrupt in tone. But he was also known for his fairness and good judgement.

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HMAS Perth 1939

In 1939, Harold was sent to the United Kingdom to sail the new HMAS Perth to Australia.

When war was declared, the Perth was sent on patrol in the Caribbean Sea. It was probably then that Harold gained his nickname 'Fearless Frank'. In his instructions to a convoy if attacked, he said:

My intention is to engage the enemy with my main armament and close him until I am in torpedo firing range. If gun-fire and torpedoes are not sufficient in disabling the raider, I intend to ram the enemy ship.

Indian Ocean 1941

In 1941 as captain of HMAS Canberra, Harold was on convoy escort duty in the Indian Ocean. The crew were searching for German raiders, including the notorious heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer.

On 4 March, the Canberra encountered 2 unidentified ships east of Italian Somaliland (present-day Somalia). Both ships ignored the Canberra's warnings. Opening fire and keeping the Canberra out of torpedo range, one ship was set on fire and scuttled by its crew. The Canberra launched a Walrus aircraft to spot and disable the second ship. This forced the ship's crew to scuttle it.

Questioning the survivors, Harold learned that the 2 ships, a German supply ship, the Coburg, and a tanker, the Ketty Brovig, were support vessels for 3 German raiders in the area. He also gained information for the Admiralty on the Admiral Scheer's movements.

Coral Sea 1942

On 7 May 1942 in the Coral Sea, the Australia led a naval force to intercept Japanese ships headed for Port Moresby. The Australia was attacked by aerial torpedos, but Harold's brilliant handling saved the ship. He turned it so quickly that the enemy torpedos ran down each side of the ship instead of hitting its side.

Japanese bombers then dropped a pattern of bombs all around the Australia, smothering it in water. The Australia disappeared from sight and other Allied crews thought it was lost. Emerging undamaged from the spray, the Australia was then named 'the ghost ship'.

We got nineteen eye-level bombers and they dropped a pattern right around us which completely engulfed the ship. Even officers on the bridge were bought to their knees with the water, that's how much water we had.

The skipper, Captain [Frank] Farncombe, he was a wonderful captain, he avoided all the torpedoes; they came up each side of us. The old Hobart when they saw us get this pattern all round us they thought, “That's the end of the Aussie”. But it wasn't, we sailed out of it and they called us the Ghost Ship from then on.

[Robert Taylor, veteran of HMAS Australia, 2003 interview]

Harold was mentioned in dispatches for his part in the Battle of the Coral Sea and recommended for promotion.

Savo Island and the Solomons 1942

During the Guadalcanal landings of August 1942, Admiral Crutchley RAN Crutchley was on HMAS Australia with Harold as commander. Crutchley was commanding the screening force in Savo Sound (now Iron Bottom Sound) that protected the landing ships. On 9 August 1942, Crutchley had to leave the force to attend a conference. Before he left, Crutchley positioned the force's ships around Savo Sound and nearby Savo Island.

At about 1:40 am on 10 August, a Japanese force of 7 cruisers and a destroyer caught the Allied defenders by surprise. During the battle that followed, HMAS Canberra was attacked and set on fire, with the loss of 84 lives.

If the Australia – with Harold and his experienced crew – had been at Savo Island instead of Savo Sound, the result might have been very different.

For the rest of August 1942 , the Australia operated in the South Pacific. The ship escorted US aircraft-carriers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 to 25 August 1942

Harold was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1942 for his services in Solomon Islands. The citation reads:

For skill, resolution and coolness during operations in the Solomon Islands.

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France and Greece 1944

In May 1944, Harold was given command of HMS Attacker, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier. It was his first aircraft carrier command.

In August, the Attacker was in a group of nine escort carriers in Task Force 88, with Harold the senior officer of the 5 captains. Task Force 88 and the Attacker were part of the massive fleet for Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of the south of France.

Harold insisted on flying over the invasion site before the landings to see it firsthand. He was mentioned in dispatches for his 'distinguished service and gallantry' in this action.

The Attacker's aircraft bombed railways, roads and bridges supporting Allied troops and blocking the retreat of enemy forces. Harold was again mentioned in dispatches for 'distinguished service and bravery'.

In October, the Attacker was involved in operations against the Germans in the Dodecanese Islands (Operation Outing I and II) and Operation Manna in the Agean.

Philippines landings 1945

On 9 December 1944, Harold was appointed commodore first class and took command of the Australian Squadron.

During the Allied invasion of the Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines, Harold led HMAS Ships Arunta, Australia, Shropshire and Warramunga as the escort and fire support force.

Between 5 and 9 January 1945, the Australia was hit 5 times by kamikaze aircraft over 5 days. Once on the way to the invasion and another 4 times when the ship was carrying out land bombardments.

While badly damaged and with many casualties, Harold ensured that the Australia completed its firings before withdrawing.

US Admiral Jesse Oldendorf called the Australia 'inspirational' and said that Harold 'imbues his command with confidence'.

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Harold was wounded in the Lingayen Gulf action, but he remained on duty. He transferred to the Arunta when the Australia left the Gulf for repairs.

Harold was appointed was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military) (CB) in 1945.

For most distinguished service in the command of H.M.A. Ships AUSTRALIA, SHROPSHIRE, ARUNTA and WARRAMUNGA, which took part in the assault landing in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island.

Harold was also awarded the US Navy Cross because he had 'contributed materially to the recapture of the Philippines'.

Film of Wewak landings on HMAS Hobart, New Guinea, 11 May 1945, 5 min 10 sec. The film shows the bombardment and Commodore Harold Bruce Farncomb, RAN, (later Rear Admiral) on the bridge of the ship. AWM F01735

Postwar service

In 1945 and 1946, Harold commanded HMAS Cerberus, the RAN's onshore training base in Victoria.

Harold went back to sea in November 1946 as Commodore Commanding Australia Squadron (CCAS) before being appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM's Australian Fleet (FOCAF).

Harold was promoted to rear admiral in 1947 and oversaw the peacetime reduction of the Australian fleet.

In 1950, Harold was appointed head of the Australian Joint Services Staff in Washington DC, USA. He was recalled from this position in November 1950 because of an alleged alcohol dependence. Returning to Australia, he was placed on the retired list on 7 April 1951, ending his naval career.

Vice Admiral Sir Richard Peek criticised the Navy for retiring Harold. He had served nearly 6 years at sea in wartime without a break. The stress placed on him had been severe. The Navy could have rested Harold after the war but chose not to.

Civilian life

After leaving the Navy and giving up alcohol, Harold studied and qualified as a barrister. He was admitted to the bar in 1958 and joined a Sydney firm of solicitors. As a lawyer, Harold showed the intelligence and judgment that had shaped his naval career. He became a judge's associate in the Supreme Court of NSW.

Harold died of heart failure in Sydney on 7 February 1971. He was survived by Jean, a staunch supporter throughout his career and life. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea from HMAS Sydney, his last flagship.

Commemoration

In 1998, the RAN named a Collins-class submarine after Harold, HMAS Farncomb.

The Australian War Memorial holds a portrait of Harold painted by Harold Abbott.

A street in Narooma is named after Harold Bruce Farncomb.

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