- Author
- Stevens, Errol
- Subjects
- History - general, Letter to the Editor
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 2001 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
It is with some concern that I read in the January-February 2001 Australian Stamp Bulletin that Australia Post is releasing a set of stamps commemorating 100 years of service by the Army only. The Navy is ignored. The Bulletin states quite correctly that the naval and military forces of each State were transferred to the control of the Commonwealth on 1 March 1901. Surely, if it is the 100th anniversary of the Army it must also be the 100th anniversary of the Navy. At Federation, in fact, a number of Australian naval personnel were on active service in China at the Boxer Rebellion.
The Royal Australian Navy held its 75th anniversary in 1986 because King George V granted the Commonwealth Naval Force the title Royal in 1911 – at that time the Commonwealth Navy was 10 years old. Are we to say the Army is only as old as when its various establishments and regiments are awarded the Royal prefix, e.g. Royal Military College in 1911 or Royal Australian Regiment after World War II?
It is to be hoped that Australia Post corrects this slight to our Senior Service veterans for their equally valid 100 years of service to our nation.
Capt Errol Stevens, RAN Retd
Member