HMAS Protector in company with one of Australia’s E Class submarines during the expedition to seize German possessions in New Britain.
This painting shows HMAS Protector sailing from Sydney as escort to one of the navy’s submarines. They were part of a unit of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force assembled to capture the German New Guinea colonies. Following the surrender of these colonies on 17 September 1914, Protector remained at Rabaul as one of the guard ships until 4 October 1914 when she sailed for Sydney in company with HMAS Fantome.
- About John Ford
The following information is from the Australian Society of Marine Artists.
John Ford OAM is a renowned marine artist whose artwork displays the subtle hues and intricate detail of the watercolour style. While his works are substantially based on maritime themes, his portfolio also includes historical buildings, steam locomotives, military subjects and animals.
John arrived in Australia from the UK after serving 18 years in the Royal Air Force. He served in two areas of conflict, the Middle East and Northern Ireland. During his first seven years in Australia he was employed in various roles - working in a tool room, car air conditioning and even juke boxes and pinball machines to name a few. In 1982 he joined the inaugural committee to build South Australia’s sail training ship, One and All. He is still a member of the Board.
With numerous exhibitions and art awards to his credit, John is one of South Australia’s leading artists. John’s work has been commissioned for many Australian and international, private and corporate collections. These include Make a Wish Foundation, S.A. Maritime Museum, Royal Australian Navy, Australia Post, Encounter 2002 Official Event and the ABC series “The Navigators”, SA Aviation Museum and the National Cancer Council Research Foundation. His works have been used in numerous family history books.
John Ford was awarded The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Arts and the Community. The award was made in 2013 on Australia Day by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council.
- About HMAS Protector (l) (HMCS)
The gunboat Protector was ordered in 1883 and built in Scotland for the South Australian Government following a decision to establish a naval force for the protection of the colony’s coasts and harbours. On 1 March 1901 Protector, and all other naval forces of the various Australian states, was transferred to the Commonwealth. With the foundation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911 she was commissioned as HMAS Protector.
More reading
- Additional resources for John Ford
- Additional resources for HMAS Protector (l) (HMCS)
![HMCS Protector and the sailing vessel Torrens by George Frederick Gregory [Jnr]](https://navyhistory.au/wp-content/uploads/HMCS-Protector-and-Torrens-Gregory-George-Frederick-David-Michael.jpg)