- Author
- Rivett, Norman C
- Subjects
- Letter to the Editor
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 1997 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
FOR KING AND COUNTRY (but especially for King).
It was sad to see that old chestnut trotted out again on page 17 of the September 1996 issue of the Naval Historical Review concerning the first Australian-born officer to reach Flag Rank.
There was a time when we “just knew” that it was Sir John Collins, now it is Rear Admiral John Dumaresq, but long before either of these distinguished officers were born the honour had been claimed by PHILLIP PARKER KING (1791-1856), son of Philip Gidley King, third Governor of New South Wales, he having been promoted to Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy in 1855.
Perhaps the NHS of A could do something to perpetuate the memory of this officer and his achievements. Renaming our annual prize to the RAN in his honour, for instance, or commemorating his birthday in some way on the 13th December.
If we cannot remember him, who will?