The ship played a pivotal role in the protection of the Australia and New Zealand Expeditionary Force as they made their way to the Middle East and then on to Gallipoli in late 1914.

After many months of investigation, Smithson Media launched its research project entitled Japan’s Forgotten Link to the ANZAC Legend.

Smithson Media director Denise Smithson said the report’s launch was the culmination of research conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Japan to date.

“There is minimal information published about HIJMS Ibuki and its place among the naval escort of transport ships that assembled in Albany’s King George Sound in November 1914, so my objective was to find out more about Ibuki and bring together all the reference material I could find,” she said.

Through her research, Mrs Smithson found the HIJMS Ibuki entered the ports of Fremantle, Albany and Hobart twice during her escort duties.

Mrs Smithson will now investigate opportunities for the publication of this material.

For more information, contact Smithson Media on 9842 9843, or denises@smithsonmedia.com.au