AHS Manunda 2/1 Hospital Ship.

Commissioned 22nd July 1940, made four trips to the Middle East between November 1940 and September 1941 before being despatched to Darwin.

Manunda 1939 to June 1942
The Passenger Vessel Manunda was built by Wm. Beardmores of Glasgow for the Adelaide Steamship Coy.
She arrived in Australia in June 1929 and was engaged on the Australian Coast Trade running passengers and cargo Sydney, Fremantle, Melbourne, Cairns, Manunda and her sister ship Manoora were very popular Sydney Cairns Fremantle Trade until 25/5/40

The declaration of war saw Manunda fitted out as DEMS ship (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship). Whilst still engaged as a Passenger Ship on the Australian coastal trade.
Manoora became an AMC. (Armed Merchant Cruiser) seconded to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) both vessels now under control Australian Shipping Control Board.
Manunda was converted to a Hospital Ship at Sydney 25/5/40 taken over by the Authorities and complied with Geneva Convention Regulations as HMAHS (His Majesties Australian Hospital Ship The RAN also set up gunnery schools in Sydney and Melbourne for the training of merchant seamen as gun crew on allied merchant ships (show photos)

Manunda now commissioned as HMAHS 22nd July, 1940 and sailed on a Shake down Cruise to Darwin, Port Moresby and return to Sydney, then for the Middle East, and Mediterranean.