WWII historical significanceCitation His Majesty the King has been Graciously pleased to award the Distinguished Service Medal to Able Seaman Cyril Percy Whiteman. the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty in hazardous operations in dangerous waters in the South-West Pacific Area prior to the end of the war.

Ronald William WADDS (Service no: 19930), Able Seaman, was born in Traralgon on 14 April 1916 and enlisted in the RAN on 1 May 1934. He served on the HMAS Canberra, HMAS Perth, and HMAS Nestor. Source: vwma.org,au ran, ron wadds, able seaman, hmas canberra, hmas perth, hmas nestor

Able Seaman William Frank Deacon (Service no: W/70), was born in Essendon 13 March 1909 and enlisted in the RAN on 15 April 1940. He served on the HMAS Sydney and was Killed in Action, Indian Ocean, 20 November 1941, aged 32 years. On 19 November 1941, HMAS Sydney was steaming back to Fremantle, having escorted a troopship part of the way to Singapore when it was attacked by German raider, "Kormoran" and sank. By midnight HMAS Sydney was lost with all 645 hands, including Able Seaman Deacon. Source: vwma.org,au and www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2102951 able seaman w. frank deacon, ran, hmas sydney, royal australian navy, ww2, killed in action

William Arthur BRISCOE (Service no: 19708), was born in Newport on 2 July 1914 and enlisted in the RAN on 4 April 1933. Able Seaman, William Briscoe, served on HMAS Waterhen & HMAS Perth and on the 1 March 1942 became a Prisoner of War when the HMAS Perth was struck in combat and sank. able seaman, pow, william briscoe, hmas perth, royal australian navy, ww2, prisoner of war

Percy Roy DEVER (Service no: PM/V388) was born in Williamstown on 10 May 1915 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 3 May 1943. Source: vwma.org.au percy roy dever, able seaman, ran, cerberus, royal australian navy, ww2

World war 2 navy jacket Able seamen, Medic Black naval jacket with red rank and service patches, 4 black buttons, Red service chevron, Red able seaman rank patch, Medic colour patch

Started in 1936, the aim of the Pilots was to capture the imagination and the devotion of children for the service of the Kingdom of God and to begin the training for membership of the world wide church of Jesus Christ. Pilots was mainly a week-night activity to supplement the training which boys and girls are given on Sundays, either through Family Church courses or approved Sunday School guides. Many churches were already using the lesson courses prepared by the Youth and Education Department of the Congregational Union for the Family Church. A Pilot company consisting of six or more boys meet regularly under the leadership of a Captain. The Pilot's promise was "I will learn, pray and serve all I can in the world-wide church of Jesus Christ" An Acting Able Seaman was for Pilots between the 8 - 10 years. [from "Compass : for Pilot Captains" book 1947]5 x blue and white badges with gold border. B017.1 B017.2 B017.3 B017.4 B017.5"C.U. & L.M.S. Acting Able Seaman"pilots - congregational church, congregational union, london missionary society, acting able seaman

Started in 1936, the aim of the Pilots was to capture the imagination and the devotion of children for the service of the Kingdom of God and to begin the training for membership of the world wide church of Jesus Christ. Pilots was mainly a week-night activity to supplement the training which boys and girls are given on Sundays, either through Family Church courses or approved Sunday School guides. Many churches were already using the lesson courses prepared by the Youth and Education Department of the Congregational Union for the Family Church. A Pilot company consisting of six or more boys meet regularly under the leadership of a Captain. The Pilot's promise was "I will learn, pray and serve all I can in the world-wide church of Jesus Christ" An Acting Able Seaman was for Pilots between the 8 - 10 years. [from "Compass : for Pilot Captains" book 1947] 3 x blue and white tin Pilots Acting Able Seaman badges. B018.1 B018.2 B018.3"Pilots Acting Able Seaman"pilots, congregational church, congregational union, congregational church youth groups

Book

hand written diary from Able Seaman Josep Frederick Thomas Chapman of his account of activity in the Dardenelles in WW1. Includes drawings, diary entries and details of active campaign in the Dardenelles in WW1.CD of hand written diary from WW1 landing at GallipoliJ26729 Able Seaman CHAPMAN, Joseph Frederick Thomas

E. FORREST, Able Seaman1. Shirt - white polyester, short sleeved, embroidered insignia shoulder flashes. 2. Shorts - white polyester.Upper shoulder flash "Australia". Lower sleeve - Insignia, Able Seaman. Both in blue embroidery.uniform, navy, summer dress

Able Seamanuniform, ran

Epalet Able Seamanbadge/buttons, ran

Able Seaman Blueuniform, current, ran

Two traditional style metal Christian Union and London Missionary Society Abel Seaman badges. Each badge is white with blue text. B100.1 has a single blue bar across its centre and B100.2 has a blue bar with a gold square at its centre."C.U. & L.M.S. ABLE SEAMAN"christian union, london missionary society

Rank Slide. Able Seamanuniform, ran

Able Seaman Cammo Slideuniform, current, ran

Fifteen year old Albert Edward Gill was born in Poplar, Middlesex, in 1868. He volunteered in May 1883 as an Apprentice Ordinary Seaman with the Merchant Services under the London shipping company James P. Corry & Co., owner of the Star Line. The shipping company by this time had a fleet of both clipper and steam cargo ships that sailed as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Gill’s apprenticeship was a four year unpaid term, with only his food, drink, lodgings, washing and medical needs provided for him. The contract had many conditions but it was a wonderful opportunity for a young man. His father James Gill signed the papers as his guarantor. In December 1887 Gill completed his apprenticeship and qualified as an Able Seaman. He served for another seven years with James P. Corry & Co. and earned his Certificate of Competency as a Master in the Merchant Service in April 1894, having passed the Ordinary Examination. (The transcription of Gill's two certificates is provided further down this page.) JAMES P. CORRY & CO. - The Belfast Company was formed in 1826 by Robert Corry, and imported timber from Canada to Ireland. In 1859 the company expanded to import timber from Calcutta, and relocated its offices to London. In the 1880s the company had a fleet of 13 tall clipper ships and included ports in Australia and New Zealand in its destinations. It continued to expand trade even further and by 1908 the Star Line had seven cargo steamers trading with the East and Far East (the ships were named Star of Australia, Star of Japan, Star of England, Star of New Zealand, Star of Ireland, Star of Scotland and Star of Victoria). In 1912 the Star Line ships added an emigrant service to Australia. TRANSCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATES - = = = = = = = = = = = = “Ordinary Apprentice’s Indenture” Transcribed:- (Printed form with printed logo of the Marine Department, Commonwealth Council for Trade. Sanctioned by the Board of Trade, May 1855. ) Registered at the Port of London, Sixteenth of May, 1883, and signed for the Registrar General. Stamped in blue ink “REGISTERED IN LONDON, MAY 16 1883” “RECORD OF THE REGISTER GENERAL OF SEAMEN” “This Indenture, made the SIXTEENTH day of MAY 1883 between ALBERT EDWARD GILL aged FIFTEEN years, a native of POPLAR, in the county of MIDDLESEX of the first part JAMES P. CORRY & CO. OF 9 & 11 FENCHURCH AVENUE in the CITY of LONDON of the second part, and JAMES GILL, of POPLAR, in the county of MIDDLESEX, of the third part, WITNESSETH, That the said ALBERT EDWARD GILL hereby voluntarily binds himself Apprentice unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & CO., his Executers, Administrators and Assigns, for the term of FOUR years from the date hereof; And the said Apprentice hereby covenants that, during such time, the said Apprentice will faithfully serve his said Master, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, and obey his and their lawful commands, and keep his and their secrets, and will, when required, give to him and them true accounts of his or their goods and money which may be committed to the charge, or come into the hands, of the said Apprentice; and will, in case the said Apprentice enters Her Majesty’s Service during the said term, duly account for and pay, or cause to be paid, to his said Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, all such Wages, Prize Money and other Monies as may become payable to the said Apprentice for such service; and that the said Apprentice will not, during the said term, do any damage to his said Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, nor will he consent to such damage being done by others, but will, if possible, prevent the same, and give warning thereof; and will not embezzle or waste the Goods of his Master, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, nor give or lend the same to others without his or their licence; nor absent himself from his or their service without leave; nor frequent Taverns or Alehouses, unless upon his or their business, nor play at Unlawful Games : IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the said Master hereby covenants with the said Apprentice, that during the said term he the said Master, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, will and shall use all proper means to teach the said Apprentice or cause him to be taught the business of a Seaman, and provide the said Apprentice with sufficient Meat, Drink, Lodgings, Washing, Medicine, and Medical and Surgical Assistance, NO WAGES, the said Apprentice providing for himself all sea-bedding, wearing apparel, and necessaries (except such as are herein-before specially agreed to be provided by the said Master): AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED, that if, at any time during the said term, the said Master, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, provide any necessary apparel, or sea-bedding for the said Apprentice, he and they may deduct any sums properly expended thereon by him or them from the sums so agreed to be paid to the said Apprentice as aforesaid: And for the performance of the Agreements herein contained, each of them, the said A.E.GILL and JAMES P CORRY & Co., doth hereby bind himself, his Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & CO., his Executors and Administrators, unto the other of them, his Executors and Administrators, in the penal sum of THIRTY pounds; and for the performance of the covenants on the part of the said Apprentice herein contained, the said JAMES GILL as surety, doth hereby bind himself, his Heirs, Executors, and Administrators unto the said JAMES P. CORRY & Co., his Executors and Administrators, the penal sum of THIRTY pounds; Provided, that notwithstanding the penal stipulations herein contained any Justice or Justices of the Pease may exercise such jurisdiction in respect of the said Apprentice as he or they might have exercised if no such stipulations had been therein contained. In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of - - Weston, 9 & 11 Fenchurch Avenue Signed, James P. Corry (Master) Signed, Albert Edward Gill (Apprentice) James Gill (Surety) NOTE – This Indenture must be executed in duplicate, both copies must be taken to the Registrar General of Seamen; or if in the Outports to the Shipping Master; one copy will then be retained and recorded, and the other returned to the Master with the necessary endorsement. = = = = = = = = = = = = Reverse of the Indenture, Transcribed:- “This is to certify that the herein mentioned Alfred Edward Gill has served the full term of the Indenture in our employ during which time he has conducted himself satisfactorily. According to the Captain’s report he has been strictly sober during the last – years [? from his failure?] Signed: James P. Corry & Co., Owner, Star Line 9 Fenchurch Avenue St, 13 Dec. ‘87 = = = = = = = = = = = = Certificate of Competency, Transcribed:- (Board of Trade logo and printed text of the certificate, with hand written details filled in) By the Lords of the Committee of Privy, Council for Trade Certificate of Competency as MASTER to Albert Edward Gill Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of MASTER in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in performance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, grant you this Certificat6e of Competency. By Order of the Board of Trade, this 19th day of APRIL, 1894 Signed INGRAM B WALKER (one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Board of Trade) Countersigned -, Regulator General. Registered at the Office of the Regulator General of Shipping and Seamen. = = = = = = = = = = = = Reverse of Certificate of Competency, Transcribed:- No. of Certificate - 020886 Address of Owner - SUNNY LAWN, WALLWOOD ROAD, LEYTONSTONE Date and Place of Birth – 1868, POPLAR Signature – A E GILL. This Certificate is given upon an Ordinary Examination passed at LONDON on the 17th day of APRIL 1894 Every person who makes, or procures to be made, or assists in making any false Representation for the Purpose of obtain for himself or for any other Person a Certificate either of Competence or Service, or who forges, assists in forgery, or procures to be forged, or fraudulently alters, assists in fraudulently altering, or procures to be fraudulently altered, any such Certificate or any Official Copy of any such Certificate, or who frequently makes use of any such Certificate, or copy of any such Certificate, which is forged, altered, cancelled, suspended, or to which he is not justly entitled or who fraudulently lends his Certificate to, or allows the same to be used by any other person, shall for each offence be deemed guilty of a Misdemeanour, and my be summarily punished by imprisonment with or without hard labour for a period not exceeding Six Months or by a penalty not exceeding 100 pounds, and any Master or Mate who fails to deliver up a Certificate which has been cancelled or suspended is liable to a penalty not exceeding 50 pounds. N.B. – Any person other than the Owner thereof becoming possessed of the Certificate is required to transmit it forthwith to the Register General of Shipping and Seamen, Custom House, London, E.C. Issued at the Port of LONDON on the 20th day of APRIL 1894. Signed J I-, - Supt. = = = = = = = = = = = = These certificates are significant as a record of the process required to qualify as a ship’s Master, which was required by the vast number of merchant ships that crossed the world to Australia with cargo and passengers, all contributing to the early settlement and development of Australia as a Colony and a Nation. The certificates are also significant for their association with James P. Corry & Col. owner of the Star Line shipping company that provided trade and passengers to Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Set of two documents from the Board of Trade, printed on cloth and wax paper, each relating to achieving the standard of Master Seaman, and belonging to Albert Edward Gill. They are dated 1883 to 1894. The forms have been stamped, signed, dated, details completed and sealed with three red wax seals. The certificate number has been stamped onto the document is such as was as to deter forgery. The forms relate to Albert Edward Gill and James P. Corry & Co, Star Line Merchant Services and show his registered number as a Master Seaman. 245.1 – Front: Ordinary Apprentice’s Indenture, printed certificate, with spaces completed and signed by hand, and sealed with three red wax seals. Signed and dated 16 May 1883 Reverse: Handwritten statement, signed and dated 13 Dec 1887. 245.2 – Front: Certificate of Competency, Master in the Merchant Service, printed and completed by hand, registered at the Office of the Regulator General of Shipping and Seamen, dated 19 April 1894. Reverse: Certificate, Ordinary Examination Passed, printed and completed by hand, dated 17 April 1894Signatures and other handwritten details. Stamped with security lines, Registration Number "020886"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, albert edward gill, certificate of compentency, apprentice's indenture, education, employment, 1880's, ordinery examination, able seaman, master seaman, james p. corry & co., star line, timber merchant, emigrant ships

Copy of Looking Back by Jeffrey William Cruz. At the top reads Were the Allies and Australia right to intervene in Vietnam from 1961 to 1973?. This has been dedicated to the Australian and Allied servicemen and servicewomen who paid the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam, the people who lost family friends, love ones, the men who were wounded both physically and psychologically, your sacrifice and suffering was not in vain. The document is held together with a metal slide down the left hand side.vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 -- veterans -- australia, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975, personal narratives - australian, seaman jeffrey william cruz, r100258, able seaman quartermaster gunner, hmas stuart

Award for long and efficient serviceSilver Medal mounted on a decorative arm. Ribbon is made up of two 9mm Violet Bars set astride a 14 mm off white bar Obverse face has a St. George Cross with 5 stars inside of a belt surmounted by a crown. This is surrounded by the words Local forces Victoria. The Reverse of the medal has " For long and efficient service" embossed on itJoseph Williams Able Seaman Vic Naval Brigade5/6 rvr, officers and sergeants mess, colonial, victorian

Awarded for Long and Efficient ServiceSilver Medal mounted on a decorative arm. Ribbon is made up of two 9mm Violet Bars set astride a 14 mm off white bar Obverse face has a St. George Cross with 5 stars inside of a belt surmounted by a crown. This is surrounded by the words Local forces Victoria. The Reverse of the medal has " For long and efficient service" embossed on itJ.W.Houston Able Seaman Port Melb Division N.B5/6 rvr, officers and sergeants mess, colonial, victorian

Unveiling of a Memorial in August 1986, at Williamstown Cemetery for three Japanese Seamen from the ship "Tsukuba", who died from Beri-Beri during June 1882. The three sailors buried at Williamstown were, Able Seaman Jisaburo Miyamoto a descendant of a samuri; Able Seaman Hikotaro Shinohara and Able Seaman Tatsushiro Ishibashi. williamstown cemetery, tsukuba ship, japanese memorial, beri beri

Unveiling of a Memorial in August 1986, at Williamstown Cemetery for three Japanese Seamen from the ship "Tsukuba", who died from Beri-Beri during June 1882. The three sailors buried at Williamstown were, Able Seaman Jisaburo Miyamoto a descendant of a samuri; Able Seaman Hikotaro Shinohara and Able Seaman Tatsushiro Ishibashi. williamstown cemetery, tsukuba ship, japanese memorial, beri beri

Unveiling of a Memorial in August 1986, at Williamstown Cemetery for three Japanese Seamen from the ship "Tsukuba", who died from Beri-Beri during June 1882. The three sailors buried at Williamstown were, Able Seaman Jisaburo Miyamoto a descendant of a samuri; Able Seaman Hikotaro Shinohara and Able Seaman Tatsushiro Ishibashi. williamstown cemetery, tsukuba ship, japanese memorial, beri beri

Unveiling of a Memorial in August 1986, at Williamstown Cemetery for three Japanese Seamen from the ship "Tsukuba", who died from Beri-Beri during June 1882. The three sailors buried at Williamstown were, Able Seaman Jisaburo Miyamoto a descendant of a samuri; Able Seaman Hikotaro Shinohara and Able Seaman Tatsushiro Ishibashi. williamstown cemetery, tsukuba ship, japanese memorial, beri beri

Australian Navy Able Seamen's capSignificantAble seaman cap. White top with a black base and a black chin strapHMAS MELBOURNE on band (black band with gold writing

Heavy Duty Canvas Naval Hammock, H.M.A.S. Stawell. Used by Able Seaman R.C. Gilbertstawell, ww2

This print was originally hanging in the foyer at the entrance to the Billiard room pre the SMI becoming a Military Museum.A Sister of the Army Nursing Service Maple coloured timber glass front, cardboard back. Coloured print by Ivor Hele with white boarder. Female figure in sitting position in nurses uniform.with steel helmet in left hand. Under the print, “A sister of the Army Nursing service” On label under print. “In Memory of Able Seaman W Haas RAN This print along with the overhead flag display was presented to the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch by Cpl J ROWELL in memory of Able seaman W.HAAS. R.A.N”. brsl, smirsl, ivor hele, nurse