Photograph of the ship Stiermark, before being converted into the HSK KormoranBlack and white photograph of the ship Stiermark.stiermark, hsk kormoran, german navy ships

Taken during World War I from the forecastle of a navy ship, the photograph depicts an eruption of water and smoke as a result of an underwater submarine being bombed from above.The naval war of World War I was a conflict unlike any previous one with the exception of the brief Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), with naval warfare in World War I being mainly between the German forces and the Great Britain forces. The naval war of World War I proved largely a disappointment to officials on both sides as it did not produce the decisive fleet actions envisioned in the pre-war years. Nevertheless, the war at sea was a crucial part of World War I overall. The German use of the submarine against commerce not only threatened the Allied war effort, but also drew the United States into the conflict. In addition, the British economic blockade of Germany afforded by the Royal Navy’s command of the sea inflicted great damage on the war effort of Germany. Finally, the naval war held great ramifications for the future since many practices employed in the First World War were those pursued in the Second World War.Black and white rectangular reproduced photograph on matte photographic paperReverse: 6527/ (Crown copyright notice from the Imperial War Museum)/ Naval 23/ 23/ A99/ burke museum, world war 1, world war i, ww1, wwi, submarine, submarine warfare, navy, naval vessels

HMS Hood was one of the most powerful ships in the Royal Navy during ww2. She was sunk by the German Battleship Bismark with a loss of all hands on board.The main threat of the Bismark was to allied convoys, so an all out bid was made to find and sink her. Unfortunately she was too powerfull for the HMS HoodBlack and White photograph of HMS Hood under way. Crew are lined up from bow to stern for leaving harbour. HMS Hood hand written in white ink just below forward guns controllerhood, hms, world war ii, royal navy

This is a needle book containing needles. It appears that the Army and Navy Needle books were not issued to soldiers or sailors but were made for home use in the Western World - Europe, America and presumably Australia. They were made mainly in Germany and some were made in Japan but were not sold in wartime. They were sold before and after World War Two and often featured images of well-known ships of the day. This folder has images of the Europa and the Bremen, two ships made in Germany which belonged to the Norddeutscher Lloyd Line (N.D.L.) and which were launched in the late 1920s. They were the two most advanced high speed steam turbine ocean liners of their day. The Bremen was gutted by fire in 1941. The Europa was captured by the Allies in 1945 and used as a troopship, then it went to France where it was became an ocean liner named Liberte. It was scrapped in 1963. The newspaper cutting tells of a presentation by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill to Private Les Lawlor on his embarking for overseas service. It is not known to which war the cutting refers and no reference can be found to Private Les Lawlor. No connection between the two items (needle book and cutting) has been established but they have always been together in our collection. The needle book is of social significance but has no known local provenance. The cutting contains information suitable for our files.1 This is a piece of thickened paper folded in two to make a folder containing four packets of needles. The folder is green with two images of ships on the back and the front. The images are multi-coloured and have an ornamental edging. The needles of different sizes are contained in black paper folded four times to enclose the needles (13 still in the folded paper – all rusty). It appears one needle packet may be missing. .2 This is a cutting from a newspaper regarding a soldier leaving for overseas military service. There is no date.‘The Army and Navy Needle Book’ ‘Made in Germany’ ‘Silver Steel’‘Superior Quality Royal Drilldeyd Sharps 1 Made in Germany’ ‘Superior Quality Royal Drilldeyd Sharps 1/5 Made in Germany’ ‘Superior Quality Royal Drilldeyd Sharps 5 Made in Germany’ ‘Superior Quality Royal Drilldeyd Sharps 6 Made in Germany’ needle books, ship bremen, ship europa, private les lawlor, warrnambool woollen mill

HMAS Sydney was a Chatham-class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy. Laid down in 1911 and launched in 1912, the cruiser was commissioned into the RAN in 1913. During the early stages of World War I, Sydney was involved in supporting the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, and escorting the first ANZAC convoy. On 9 November 1914, the cruiser defeated the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos. During 1915 and 1916, Sydney operated on the North America and West Indies Station, before joining the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron at Greenock, Scotland in November 1916. On 4 May 1917, the cruiser was involved in an inconclusive action against the German zeppelin L43; neither was damaged. During late 1917, Sydney became the first Australian warship to launch an aircraft, and the first warship to do so from a rotatable platform.Rectangular shaped mounted Print of HMAS SYDNEY 1918HMAS SYDNEY 1918,launching a Sopwith aeroplane from a flying-off platform atop her 6 inch gun turret. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY 75TH ANNIVERSARYww1, hmas sydney,lara r.s.l. australian naval ships, light cruisers.

Historically depicts the operations of the Royal Australian Navy duty occasioning navy vessels in addition to the drudgery of patrol work and the search for enemy vessels. Working in isolation because of being a vessel that is under their own control.This volume of the War Histories is concerned with the doings of an infant navy.Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 - Volume IX - The Royal Australian Navy Maps and Illustrationsgerman colonies, samoa, nauru, western pacific, africa, dardenelles, north atlantic, european waters, raiders and minefields, ran brigade, hospital ships, transports and dockyards, radio-telegraphy, suvla bay, sinking of the cumberland, german cruiser squadron, cocos, sydney-emden action, north sea

This book tells of the mounting sea power of the Allies told by men of the RAN who with their ships have added the weight of their blows to the common effort. It tells stories of which the Royal Australian Navy may be proud.This volume is a further unfolding of the story of WWII which because of its nature as a world wide conflict, is so largely the story of sea power and its influence on the final outcome HMAS MK III - The RAN's Third Book. Green hardcover with black text and Navy insignia on front cover, text on spine. Inside front and back cover green sepia drawing of a fleet of Navy ships. Graphs, drawings, photographs, maps, poems.Tribute - Grey she is and stately Young alive and shapely Lissome, yes, and graceful, With perfect lines of elegance and dignity Her noble, lovely head She nods and shakes, With confidence to face Whatever may come. She nurses me And nourishes; Shields me, gives me courage. Alone I have been with her, when afraid. And in a crowd of friends, both hers and mine. Through conflict tense, with element or foe; through danger from above and from below. Through anguish keen Of loss, of death, of pain. Through gaiety, through joy victorious and safe She is my life, my only love, My ship.wwii, royal australian navy, sea power, germans, europe, japanese, communications, rear admiral v.a.c. crutchley, v.c., d.s.c, destroyers, corvettes, frigates, escort duties, motor launches, aircraft carriers, battleships, battle cruisers, cruises, armed merchant cruisers, sloops, submarine sweepers, mediterranean, warspite, valiant, pacific, american forces, dneiper bend, solomon islands, makin, tarawa, h.m.a australia, h.m.a shropshire, h.m.a arunta, h.m.a warramunga, h.m.a.s westralia, arctic, h.m. jamaica, h.m.saumarez, u.s. marines, h.m.a.s benalla, h.m.a.s shepparton, royal australian navy reserves

This bell was apparently salvaged from a Freighter by Syd Storrie a Merchany Navy Sailor. The Freighter had been torpedoed by a German Submarine in WW1.Ship's bell, rough cast bronze? Clapper is rough cast steel. There is an old steel mounting bracket at the top, painted green. maritime technology, ship relics, military history - navy, ships fittings, souvenirs

Blue book with Art Nouveau floral decor by Charles Nordhoff (1830-1901) found in the mission's library in 2018. Published by W.P. Nimmo, Hay and Mitchell, Edinburgh. The National Library of Australia has an holding mentioning 1876fictioncharles nordhoff (1830-1901), travel, seafaring, adventure, sailors' home

The Maréchal de Turenne, a three mast barque, was built in the "Chantiers de la Loire" shipyard in Nantes, port in the West of France, in 1899 by the company René Guillon et René Fleury. Capacity of 3000 barrels. The barque is called a "cap-hornier" in French. In a book written in 1973 by Georges Aubin, "La mer douce et cruelle", ed. France-Empire, a chapter "Une traversée du trois-mâts nantais Maréchal de Turenne" (page 285 to 319) tells how the ship was navigating from London to New-York to load barrels of petrol bound for Melbourne.The photograph demonstrates how prepared the merchant navy was during the First World War. The French Merchant Navy had additional men from the Navy: the six sailors in uniform and sailor "bachi" bonnet with the AMBC inscription were on the ship to support the crew in case of enemy attack. Two of those soldiers carry a bayonet. One of the sailors is wearing headphones: World War One saw telecommunication progress. At sea, the threat were the German submarines: the U-boats.The photograph depicting the 22 members of the crew was taken in October 1918 onboard the Marechal de Turenne. The two on the right and left side are holding a picture of the barque. One man at the back is holding a cat. 11 names are written at the back. The photograph was turned into a postcard.Printed at the back: On the left: Green Bros/Photo/251 Nelson Place, Williamstown Centered: Post Card/Correspondence/Address only Top right corner for the stamp: Kodak Australia Written at the back: octobre 1918 Souvenir du navire Maréchal de Turenne Berthot Jacquet Renaut R. Renaut H. Lecoq Mercier Berger Dubas Lorie Coat Tilloncrew, barque, french, 1918, marechal de turenne, nantes, wwi, world war one, first world war, great war, buoy, ship mascot, cat, a.m.b.c, bayonet, african, black man, apprentices, armement militaire des bâtiments de commerce, bachi, sailor beret, radio transmitters, telegraph, morse, telecommunication, german submarines, u-boats, cigarettes, smoking, williamstown, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, nelson place, crews and ships

HMAS Koolonga was a cargo ship built by Sunderland Shipbuilding Company, England, in 1914 and bought by McIlwraith, McEacharn Line Pty Ltd, Melbourne and named SS Koolonga. She was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy on 6 August 1914, as a collier and supply ship and commissioned as HMAS Koolonga. She participated during the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force occupation of German New Guinea until May 1915 when she was later returned to her owners. After being returned, she was employed on cargo trades from Whyalla, South Australia to Newcastle, New South Wales. She was sold in October 1917 through Scott Fell & Company, Newcastle to BHP Shipping and renamed Iron Monarch, before being sold again in 1920 to Interstate Steamships Ltd. This ship linked to record VC 0747. The ship played a role in WW1 small black and white photograph of steamship.steam ships, world war 1, hmas koolonga, fan album, ss koolonga

non-fictionThe men and ships of the New Zealand Shipping company and their participation in the British Merchant Navy during WWII. Includes details of the company's ships lost through enemy action, including the Turakina, victim of the German raider Orion in the Tasman Sea in August 1940 which was the first of the company's ships lost. Also covers the sinking of the Rangitane and Cambridge, as well as the salvage of the Hororata and the Battle of the Atlantic with the Essex in the Malta Convoy. keith oliver, ww2, merchant navy, new zealand shipping company, turakina, rangitane, hororata

Germany was governed by the Nazi party during WW2 /1939 to 1945. Fighting a war on many fronts bought about Germanys down fall. The German Navy was a very modern Navy and her Uboat fleet was very active in controlling the seas during the early years of the War and very large Battleships including the Bismark.Short lengthed dagger ,double edged and etched blade with orange swirlled handle and eagle on the tip of handle.Eagle creast with Nazi insignia in the clawers of the eagle/Anchor inbedded in the hilt/WKC and knights helmet stamped on the hilt end of the blade/blade etching contains sailing ship/anchor and floral decoration.ww2, nazi, germany, naval, dagger

This item is linked to the 'HMAS Encounter', possibly made on the ship c. 1913. In 1916 this ship visited a then unnamed island off the Western Australian coast, where the crew discovered two bronze cannons protruding from the sand. These cannons now in the WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle, have been linked to the "Mahogany Ship" legend by historian K.G. MacIntyre. Cribbage is a very popular card game, particularly with naval personnel. This cribbage score board belonged to Alexander Charles Forsyth who used it aboard H.M.A.S. Encounter in 1913. He was a stoker, service number 3086, from New South Wales. H.M.A.S Encounter, the fourth warship of that name, was built at Devonport Dockyard, Tasmania, for the Royal Australian Navy in 1905. She was a second class protected cruiser and in 1909 was lent for three years to the British Admiralty. In 1913 (the year marked on this cribbage board) she was in New South Wales and Queensland waters and in World War One she served in the Pacific region, taking part in the capture of German New Guinea. She was finally scuttled in 1932.Social significance: an example of leisure activities in early C20th. Historical significance: link to "Mahogany Ship" legend through H.M.A.S. Encounter. This is an interesting item with social significance as cribbage was a popular game, particularly in the 20th century, and it illustrates the pastimes of a generation past. It was given to Warrnambool and District Historical Society by a Wangoom couple and so may have local significance if A.C. Forsyth was related to this couple. H.M.A.S. Encounter was important in Australia’s naval history. Rectangular brass plate with rows of holes, grouped in tens. Plate mounted with 5 brass studs to a rectangular wooden base. 134 holes in brass, grouped in tens. Three holes in each end of wooden base. Board used for scoring made out of brass for game of cribbage Burnished gold on playing surface Reddish-brown on base 144 main indentations, 10 minor indentations Machine engraved "A.C. Forsyth" (in script)/ "1913"/ "H.M.A.S. ENCOUNTER" across middle of the plate, between the rows of holes. brass, ships, leisure, royal australian navy, cribbage board, games, mahogany ship, a s forsythe, encounter, alexander charles forsyth, warrnambool

In November 1914 Williams was serving onboard HMAS Sydney when the German ship Emden was sunk. He continued in service with the navy after the war, and also served in WW2.Royal Australian Navy service record of John Robert Williams (8298). Cap band from German ship S.M.S. Emden.john robert williams, hmas sydney, sms emden, ww1

This oil painting is in a handmade, carved frame, dates back to the period of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery. The two-masted, sail-and-steam-powered ship has the sails and bow shape of a tall clipper ship plus the extra power of steam. It dates to the transition between the clipper ships with their billowing sails and the steam-powered ships, which happened in the late 19th to early 20th century. The flag flown from the stern is that of the British Merchant Navy that traded around the world to transport cargo, and later passengers, from one destination to another. The painting was originally catalogued as the "S.S. Warrnambool" although it has a different design. It was also attributed to the ship portrait painter, the renowned C.K.M. - Charles Keith Miller - but differs from his style. Further research is being carried out at this time. In 1966, between the closure of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery and the distribution of the painting to Flagstaff Hill, this painting was repaired by David Heysen, son of the German-born artist Hans Heysen OBE. David was born in Hahndorf (called Ambleside for a short period of time), South Australia, married Lyly Refshauge from Melbourne, and they raised a family on their property in Kalangadoo, near Penola, in South Australia.The painting's frame is an example of handmade carving and joinery created in the late 19th century. The artist has depicted the image of a historical sail-and-steam ship of the type in which cargo was traded across the world, including to and from Australia. Vessels such as this also brought migrants to Australia.Painting, oil on board, in hand carved wooden frame with floral and geometric pattern, inner border painted gold. Image of a two-masted sail and steam ship, sails raised, black funnel emitting smoke. Hull is black with white horizontal stripe and white trim around sides of deck. Three lifeboats are visible. Bow is ‘clipper shape’ with what appears to be a figurehead. A red ensign flag flies at the stern and a blue and red flag is attached to the mainmast. The frame has been assembled using Mortice and Tenon joints, one of which is exposed on the back, lower right corner. Chandelier chain has been attached for hanging. There is no visible signature, date or title on the front of the painting. The back board has empty holes spaced around the edge and is held in place by staples. The visible surface has remnants of adhesive from two rectangular attachment s. There are two small white stickers attached, one with a hand written inscription. There are pencil and pen inscriptions. The painting is protected by cardboard with inscriptions in marking pen.On back board, written in the style used by the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery: - On white sticker, in pen “A-P31/1-74” - Pencil “A27/1883 / Artist CKM 1883 / Title SS Warrnambool / oil on board” Written in pen by the repairer - “Repaired & re-drilled – cleaned etc. / David Heysen 11/66” Written by Flagstaff Hill’s Cataloguer - Pencil “3031” On cardboard wrapper, in marking pen: - “S.S. Warrnambool / by / C.K.M. 1883” - “A-P/31/1-74” - “3031”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, s s warrnambool, charles keith miller, charles miller, steam and sail ship, british merchant navy, slipper shaped bow, 19th century sea trade, warrnambool museum and art gallery, old warrnambool art gallery, hand carved picture frame, mortice and tennon picture frame, migrants, c.k.m.

maps, p.157.non-fictionDavid James was serving in Motor Gun Boats when he was captured in February 1943. Imprisoned initially in Dulag Marlag, he immediately decided to escape. In December 1943 he succeeded in escaping disguised as an officer of the Royal Bulgarian Navy. He was captured while attempting to board a ship at Lubeck.Undeterred, in February 1944 he broke out again, this time dressed as a Swedish sailor. He eventually succeeded in reaching Stockholm after two and a half days in a ship's engine room. prisoners of war - germany - escapes, world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – germany

Index, bib, ill, maps, p.476.non-fictionHMAS Sydney's hunt for the German raider, Emden. When the ships of the new Royal Australian Navy made their grand entry into Sydney Harbour in October 1913, a young nation was at peace. Under a year later Australia had gone to war in what was seen as a noble fight for king, country and Empire. Thousands of young men joined up for the adventure of having 'a crack at the Kaiser'. And indeed the German threat to Australia was real, and very near - in the Pacific islands to our north, and in the Indian Ocean. In the opening months of the war, a German raider, Emden, wreaked havoc on the maritime trade of the British Empire. Its battle against the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney, when it finally came, was short and bloody - an emphatic first victory at sea for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. This is the stirring story of the perilous opening months of the Great War and the bloody sea battle that destroyed the Emden in a triumph for Australia that resounded around the world. In the century since, many writers have been there before Mike Carlton. Most were German, some of them survivors of the battle, others later historians, and they have generally told the story well. British accounts vary in quality, from good to nonsense, and there have been some patchwork American attempts as well. Curiously, there has been very little written from an Australian point of view. This book is - in part - an attempt to remedy that, with new facts and perspectives brought into the light of day.world war 1939 – 1945 – naval operations - australia, world war 1939 – 1945 –naval operations - germany

p.390.fictionWorld War II novel about submarine hunters in the North Atlantic. The action follows lieutenant Ned Yorke of the British Navy, who is sent to investigate a rash of unexplained convoy sinkings. He must find out how German submarines are arriving undetected in the midst of the convoys and why a mysterious Swedish vessel is always present. Posing as a shipwrecked sailor, he manages to get aboard the Swedish ship.world war 1939 - 1945 - fiction, naval operations - fictional

With the outbreak of the First World War, HMAS Australia became the flagship of the naval force that captured the German colonies in the southern Pacific. She led a force which captured Rabaul on 13 September 1914 before proceeding to Samoa. With no German forces left in the South Pacific, Australia was deployed to the United Kingdom. En route she sank the German ship Eleanore Woermann. On 8 February 1915 she became flagship of the 2nd Battle-cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. Australia's service with the Grand Fleet consisted of a series of frequent patrols and exercises. She was twice rammed, firstly on 22 April 1916 by HMS New Zealand. This led to her missing the Battle of Jutland which, considering the disastrous losses in the Battle-cruiser Force, may well have been fortunate. She was rammed again by HMS Repulse in December 1917. Australia carried out experimental aircraft operations in 1918 and led the port column of the Grand Fleet at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet. Returning home in 1919, Australia suffered a mutiny upon reaching Fremantle, Western Australia. Quite obsolete, she became a training vessel in Westernport until scuttled off Sydney Heads on 12 April 1924.The Australian Navy's first flagship, the battle cruiser HMAS Australia (I) was the centrepiece of the 'Fleet Unit', whose acquisition signalled the RAN's arrival as a credible ocean going force. Ordered from John Brown and Company in March 1910, construction began three months later with the total cost of the ship and fittings expected to be some £2 million. The Commonwealth Government decided upon the name Australia, and it proved a popular choice, carefully avoiding any suggestion of favouritism towards any one Australian State. The ship's badge maintained the national theme by featuring the Federation Star overlaid by a naval crown, while the motto 'Endeavour' reflected the ideal of the Australian spirit and recalled Lieutenant James Cook's ship of 1768-71.Timber frame of black and white print of a ship at sea.Imperial War Museum Photograph HMAS AUSTRALIA - RAN FLAGSHIP First flagship of the Royal Austrlian Navy 1913-1920 Sunk under the terms of the Washington Treaty 12th April 1924 This frame is made of teak from her deckhmas australia, ww1

Photographs of the German ship Admiral Graf Spee which was involved in the Battle of the River Plate, the first naval battle in the Second World War and the first one of the Battle of the Atlantic in South American waters. The German panzerschiff Admiral Graf Spee had cruised into the South Atlantic a fortnight before the war began, and had been commerce raiding after receiving appropriate authorisation on 26 September 1939. One of the hunting groups sent by the British Admiralty to search for Graf Spee, comprising three Royal Navy cruisers, HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilles (the last from the New Zealand Division), found and engaged their quarry off the estuary of the River Plate close to the coast of Uruguay in South America. 12 black and white unframed photographs of ship at seaInscription in pencil on rear of each photographadmiral graf spee, ww2, montevideo, battle of the river plate

Tie worn as part of the uniform of "Kormoran" crew member Heini Homann, from camp 13.Navy blue German WW2 naval raider crew tie insignia- Eagle at the top of yellow oval. Ship on top of a world sphere insidekormoran, german navy uniform, heini homann, camp 13 internee

The striking image on the poster shows men crowded on the deck after the successful action against the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni on 19 July 1940. On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. The faces of many of the 645 servicemen who died in Australia’s greatest naval tragedy feature on this special poster produced to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of the HMAS Sydney. For more than six decades the location of the Sydney had remained a mystery until the wreckages of both HMAS Sydney and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser Kormoran were discovered around 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia. The sinking of the Sydney and the loss of all her crew in the Second World War is the single greatest naval tragedy Australia has experienced in Australian waters.Black plastic frame with grey mount containing poster/photograph of Navy crew on ship and in foreground. top left corner - Lest We Forget Bottom of print - HMAS SYDNEY 19 November, 1941 hmas sydney, ww2, 19/11/1941, kormoran, ran

The hat was picked up at sea by a German Sailor serving on the blockade runner RAMSES. It was giver to RAN sailor A. Tarr when HMAS Adelaide rescued survivors after the sinking of the RAMSES. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provided some information about Shigeyoshi Higuchi. He was a sailor but did not serve on a ship. After WWII, he returned safely home to his family.This hat is significant as a tangible connection to wartime service by Japanese sailor Shigeyoshi Higuchi.A dark blue circular velvet hat lined with black cotton on the inside with four studs. A square label with printed and hand written Japanese characters is attached to the underside of the hat.Part of the label has been translated from Japanese into English. It indicates the owner of the hat was Shigeyoshi Higuchi, who was based in Nagasaki Sasebo. His military number was (some kanji) and 1274. The hat was made in April 1943.japanese imperial navy, ramses, hmas adelaide, shigeyoshi higuchi, nagasaki sasebo

Information from the notes of Nancy Leach re Emma Elizabeth Weston who sailed for Melbourne on the 'Charlotte Gladstone' on 9/9/1869. She subsequently ran a bakery in Swanston street and later married Thomas Scott, Tinner and Galvanizer. They lived in Victoria street (now rooks Road) and had several children, one daughter being named Emma. Emma married Mr. Ottenbach who jumped ship from the German navy and they had a daughter, Christina who was a member of the Nunawading Historical society. Emma (Junior) worked at the Australian tesselated tile Co. in Mitcham and learnt art in order to design tiles.Information from the notes of Nancy Leach re Emma Elizabeth Weston who sailed for Melbourne on the 'Charlotte Gladstone' on 9/9/1869. weston, emma elizabeth;, scott, thomas, emma elizabeth, otterbach mr, otterbach, christina emma, australian tesselated tile co pty ltd, leach, nancy, pioneers

The Atlantic Star was instituted in May 1945 to honour those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was intended primarily for award to those who served in shipping convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as to those who served on fast merchant ships which sailed alone. The Battle of the Atlantic took place between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945, as German U-boats attacked convoys transporting vital supplies from America and the Colonies to Britain. Warships of the Royal Navy and aircraft of the Royal Air Force escorted these convoys, hunted the U-boats and, despite some notable successes by the U-boats, eventually won a comprehensive victory in the Atlantic. Group of three World War Two medals awarded to J Pritchard Merchant Navy: Atlantic Star, Pacific Star and Australian Service Medal 39-45.atlantic, merchant navy, world war two, wwii

John Alexander Spence was born in Fremantle 2nd July 1893. In 1912 he joined the Australian Navy as a Stoker and was posted to H.M.A.S. Australia. He was on this ship when it sailed at the head of the convoy into Sydney Harbour in 1913. At the outbreak of WW1, his ship was sent to German New Guinea where he saw conflict with the enemy and received a gunshot wound to his hand. This required him to be returned to Australia and the Naval doctors considered him unfit for further Naval service. When his hand healed Spence joined the AIF on the 2 August 1915 and was posted to the 52nd Battalion and embarked on the “Benalla” on the 1 November 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 1 June 1916 on 9 September was promoted to Corporal and the next day to Sergeant. At Messines Ridge he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. At Dernancourt, a village near Villers he was awarded the Military Medal on 6 April 1918. Subsequently he was badly injured. He had captured four German soldiers and one Officer. While marching them back to the Allied lines the Officer grabbed one of the patrol member’s gun and fired three shots at Sergeant Spence which smashed his hip. Despite his injuries Spence managed to bring the Officer down with a revolver shot. On the 30th April he was repatriated to England and admitted to the Alexandria Hospital at Cosham. He did not return to the western front as his injuries were too severe. He returned to Australia on board the Somalia arriving home on the 21st December 1919. Before joining the forces he was a prominent amateur boxer, a pupil of the renowned heavyweight Bill Doherty. During WW1 he won the Army lightweight championship, competing against professionals as well as amateurs. He defended the title successfully for three successive years. On his discharge from the Army he fought under the name of Sonny Kidson. He also turned to coaching and had remarkable success having coached the Army and Navy boxing teams. John Spence died on the 20 November 1962 at Hollywood Repatriation Hospital aged 69. Post card sized photo of 3400 Sergeant John Alexander Spence DCM, MM, 52 Battalion AIF. Photo shows medal ribbons of Distinguished Conduct Medal (awarded June 1917) and Military Medal (awarded April 1918), 2 wound stripes, 5 service stripes, 52 Battalion AIF colour patch and soft style forage cap.spence, 52 battalion, aif, dcm, mm

HMAS Una was a Royal Australian Navy sloop that began its life as the German motor launch Komet. The ship and her 57 crew was captured by an infantry detachment of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force led by John Paton on 9 October 1914, with no loss of life. Komet was then sailed to Sydney as a prize. During the time in which the Una was in service under Australia, the sloop was used as a Patrol and General Purpose Vessel. The sloop was used to patrol the areas of New Guinea, New Britain, New Hebrides and Malayan waters. In December 1918, Una was sent to Darwin to protect Administrator John Gilruth, following the Darwin Rebellion. She arrived on Christmas Eve anchoring beneath the Government House cliffs until HMAS Encounter arrived in early 1919. After World War I, Una was decommissioned and taken to Port Phillip Bay, renamed Akuna and used as a pilot vessel. She was finally broken up in Melbourne in 1955.Anchor from ex German Yacht KOMET built in Hamburg in 1911, captured in New Guinea 1914. Acquired by PPPS 1925 renamed UNA then AKUNA. In service 1925 - 1954 Made of Cast Ironanchor, komet, una, akuna, pilot vessel

HMAS Una was a Royal Australian Navy sloop that began its life as the German motor launch Komet. The ship, and her 57 crew, was captured by an infantry detachment of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force 9 October 1914, with no loss of life. Komet was then sailed to Sydney as a prize. During the time in which the Una was in service under Australia, the sloop was used as a Patrol and General Purpose Vessel. The sloop was used to patrol the areas of New Guinea, New Britain, New Hebrides and Malayan waters. After World War I, Una was decommissioned and taken to Port Phillip Bay, renamed Akuna and used as a pilot vessel. She was finally broken up in Melbourne in 1955.After World War I, HMAS Una was decommissioned and taken to Port Phillip Bay, renamed Akuna and used as a pilot vessel. She was finally broken up in Melbourne in 1955.A sclae drawing showing side view of the double screw passenger steam boat 'Komet' which was captuered by the RAN in WWI Doppelschrauben Passagierdampfer Aussen Haut [Double Screws, Passenger Steam Boat, Outside Hight]akuna, ppps, port phillip, hmas una, ran