2017 20c 75th Anniversary Sinking of The SS Vyner Brooke Uncirculated Coin

The SS Vyner Brooke was sunk by Japanese forces on 14 February 1942 in the course of evacuating nurses and wounded soldiers away from the beleaguered island of Singapore. About 150 survivors eventually made it to Radji Beach on Banka Island where they were taken prisoner of war. Japanese troops shot and bayoneted the soldiers and ordered 22 Australian nurses into the water where they were machine-gunned from behind. Vivian Bullwinkel was one of just two survivors. After hiding in nearby jungle she surrendered to Japanese forces and spent the remainder of the war in captivity.