Prayers at divisions, HMAS Lonsdale
The above painting by official war artist Able Seaman Rex Julius depicts RAN personnel observing prayers during divisions at HMAS Lonsdale in 1944.
- About Rex Julius
Rex Julius was born in Sydney into an artistic family. His father, Henry Julius, was co-founder of the commercial art firm Smith & Julius and was known for his caricatures. Rex initially followed in his father’s footsteps as a commercial artist but, in 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Rex trained in submarine detection, but the navy appointed him an official war artist in 1944 after senior officers saw a portfolio of his personal sketches. As an official war artist Julius was initially attached to the HMAS Rushcutter base in Sydney. His work in this posting was focused on the operations of the RAN's Fairmile B motor launches. Rex’s ‘Rushcutter’ sketches also feature members of the Women’s Royal Australian Navy (WRAN) going about their duties.
His style is distinct, with strong outlines and bold shading. Several of the Fairmile sketches were published in the Australasian newspaper.
Rex then travelled to New Guinea on board the corvette HMAS Lithgow and made a series of sketches during the voyage. These works were focused on the activities of the sailors, including while they were resting.
On 19 May 1944 Julius died at Milne Bay in the Territory of Papua as the result of a throat abscess and gangrene. He is buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.
Due to his short career as an official war artist and death at a young age, Rex’s work is not well known. Two of his paintings are in the Australian War Memorial's collection. The National Archives of Australia holds the sketchbooks from his period as an official war artist.
Visit the National Archives' Flickr page to view Rex Julius’s wartime sketchbooks and take a peek into the lives of our Second World War servicemen.
- About HMAS Lonsdale – Royal Australian Navy baseSailors at work
Since entering World War 1 in 1914 with 16 ships, two submarines and 3800 RAN personnel (including 850 from the Royal Navy) the number of serving personnel in the Royal Australian Navy has fluctuated depending on the strategic and shifting financial environment. Over more than a century, the RAN’s and people have seen action in every ocean of the world.
Of the tens of thousands who have served, 2658 members have made the ultimate sacrifice defending Australia’s interests in warlike and peacetime operations across the globe.
Fortunately, for the vast majority who served in periods of peace or survived periods of hostilities the experience was positive.
In addition to their service in a particular category which involved specific duties, they also participated in communal duties such as coaling ship. Thus, the artworks included in this section relate to a mix of specialist and communal activities.
More reading
- Additional resources for Rex Julius
- Additional resources for HMAS Lonsdale – Royal Australian Navy baseSailors at work