Watch List notes:

Group of Four to Died in Shipboard Accident: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The first two medals unnamed, P. A. 4702 K. J. Mills on last two medals. The named medals impressed. A few marks on third medal and some hairlines on last two medals, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Keith James Mills, lathe operator, age 18, born at Alberton, Sth Aust; Enl.02Oct1941 in Army (S.115073); Disch.10May1944 ex 1 AASC for re-enlistment in RAN; Re-Enl.19Jun1944 at Port Adelaide, Sth Aust in RAN (P.A. 4702); died when swept overboard 11Feb1945 while serving as Ordinary Seaman on the destroyer, HMAS Nizam; commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon, England; Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT; Cape Leeuwin "N" Class Destroyers Association Memorial Wall and Cairn, Cape Leeuwin, Augusta, Western Australia; remembered as a valued and popular member of the Catholic Young Men's Society, Alberton Branch and following his loss a resolution of sympathy was conveyed by letter to his sorrowing parents and fiancee.

The N Class destroyer, HMAS Nizam was steaming from Melbourne to Fremantle on a moonless night on 11 February 1945 when tragedy struck at about 2215 hours. The seas were heavy and when the ship struck a freak wave and rolled very heavily ten men were swept overboard about 11 nautical miles off Cape Leeuwin. Despite the ship circling for a long period, all of those swept overboard died including Ord Seaman Keith James Mills.

With copy of Service Files, colour photo of H.M.A.S. Leeuwin, and colour photos of memorials, and other research.