HMAS Parkes

HMAS Parkes (J361), named for the town of Parkes, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed in Australia during World War II, and one of 36 initilally manned and commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Construction
Parkes was laid down by Evans Deakins and Company at Brisbaneon 16 March 1943. She was launched on 30 October 1943 by Mrs Brown, wife of the President of the Senate, and commissioned into the RAN on 25 May 1944.

The ship was originally to be named HMAS Mudgee, for the town of Mudgee, New South Wales.

Operational history
The corvette earned two battle honours for her wartimes service: "Pacific 1944" and "New Guinea 1944".

Fate
Parkes paid off to reserve on 17 December 1945 in Fremantle, Western Australia. The vessel was sold for scrap to Hong Kong Rolling Mills Ltd on 2 May 1957.