“Comprehensive in its treatment of one of the most controversial legal and disciplinary events in the history of the Royal Australian Navy. Dark Secrets is judicious but sympathetic.
The book tells, for the first time, not only the complex story of the many legal and political ramifications that followed the court martial and conviction of two Australian sailors for murder but the personal stories of the two accused, their victim and the families and friends who were deeply affected by the tragedy.”
James Goldrick AO CSC, Rear Admiral Rtd
Naval historian and Fellow of the Sea Power Centre and the Lowy Institute
“Hadler’s telling of the 1942 murder in Australia should stand for all time as the authoritative account of this extraordinary tale.
Comprehensive, thorough and wide-ranging – covering legal, political and Constitutional aspects, not just the naval and deeply personal stories involved – he brings this landmark episode centre-stage where it belongs.
By narrating developments against the events of wartime and post-war Australia, he achieves an absorbing blend of historical insight and human interest.”
Chris Clark, military historian, contributor and editor.
Author of Action stations Coral Sea: the Australian commander’s story, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1991 and The Statute of Westminster and the murder in HMAS Australia, 1942, Australian Defence Journal, (179), Department of Defence, Canberra, 2009.
“An enthralling account of the 4-day struggle for justice on a naval ship engaged in battle that changed forever Australia’s relationship with Great Britain.”
Jeremy Rapke, Q.C. Barrister-at-Law.
Son of Trevor Rapke, the defence lawyer or ‘Prisoner’s Friend’ of Ron Gordon and Ted Elias on HMAS Australia.
“Congratulations to Robert Hadler for the publication of Dark Secrets: The True Story of Murder in HMAS Australia (Wilkinson Publishing, 2020). This book explores the murder of a RAN sailor onboard HMAS Australia during the Second World War. Historical scholarship has often focussed upon how this murder prompted major legal and political changes in Australia. This book reveals new details about the victim and the fate of those convicted for his murder.”
The Australian Historical Association.
AHA Newsletter 24 September 2020
“In his presentation ….. Robert Hadler, brought to life the tragic events surrounding to the murder, on 12 March 1942, of a lowly stoker Jack Riley by two other stokers, Ron Gordon and Ted Elias aboard HMAS Australia, the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy.” Read more….
Brent D Taylor
Military History & Heritage Victoria
26 October 2020
“This is a very compelling book. I found it one of those books I could not put down. It was like a who dunit novel – only in this instance, it is a true story with a strong Tasmanian connection.
It can be a disturbing book, if not an emotional one. There is a great detail of information contained, including that of the prolonged trial of the two men accused of murdering the nineteen year old stoker on HMAS Australia in 1942, Joseph Jack Riley who hailed from Bellerive, eastern shore to Hobart.
It is a disturbing book to read, but very revealing. The author, Robert Hadler, is an economic journalist who has worked in the Commonwealth Public Service as a political adviser, a lobbyist of industry groups and senior executive roles. He has a passion for Australian history and in particular controversial events…well, he certainly has a good one on his hands in this instance.
This book comes thoroughly recommended. It deals with a subject once censored and long forgotten with the story buried in the Australian Archives. To the memory of the young stoker, Jack Riley, it is worthy to be read and of that alone.”…to read the full article click here.
Reg Watson, Hobart FM 96.1
Saturday, 21 Nov 2020
Robert Hadler’s new book, Dark Secrets…using hitherto unpublished material from the National Archives and the UK, as well as new primary sources — including letters, telegrams, journal entries, newspaper articles and photographs — Hadler’s contribution to this intriguing story is well-written and painstakingly researched…to read the full article click here.
Review of Dark Secrets by well known academic historian and author Professor Ross Fitzgerald in The Australian newspaper, Thursday 10 December 2020.
Robert Hadler has unearthed a great deal about what happened to Jack Riley in 1942 and what took place after his burial at sea. One feature of Hadler’s book is that he has reviewed events in meticulous research with a huge attention to detail…to read the full review click here.
Review of Dark Secrets by Paul Henderson, historian and author, in The Sydney Institute Review, 9 December 2020.