The Naval Historical Society – 20 years on – Part 4

Author

Lind, L.J.

Subjects

History - general

Tags

Naval Historical Society

RAN Ships

None noted.

Publication

December 1990 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

1985

A last inspection of the boom defence vessel HMAS KIMBLA was arranged for Society members early in 1985. The ship was first commissioned in 1955 and was the last of her class and the last true steamship to serve in the RAN. A history of the vessel by Trevor Weaver appeared in the June issue of the Naval Historical Review.

There were two changes in our Committee in the year. Mr John Sullivan was elected Vice President and Mr G. Caruara was elected as a Committeeman.

During this year I visited Europe and had the pleasure of dining with Commander F. van Oosten, the retired Historian of the Royal Netherlands Navy and Commander T. Ferrers-Walker, RN, the Secretary to Admiral Lord Fraser in British Pacific Fleet days. Both have been keen supporters of the Society since its inception.

In 1985 we instituted the Naval Historical Society Prize to the Royal Australian Naval College. It consisted of six bound copies of Society books and a year’s subscription to the Society. The prize was awarded to the Chief Midshipman of the Year. The award for 1985 was made by the Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephens to Midshipman J.F. Blake, RAN.

An excellent address on ‘The New German Navy’ was presented to our September meeting by Captain Baron Gerhard von Ledebur, Defence Attache for the Republic of Germany. He illustrated the address with a fine film of his Navy at sea.

Captain Ledebur was one of four Defence Attaches to address the Society. Previous Attaches were from South Africa, Spain and Argentine.

1986

Our programme of keeping the history, traditions and activities of the RAN before the public eye in the media and our own publications was maintained in 1986. The Society freely provided assistance to authors and journalists for their published works. In addition we encouraged authors within our own ranks to write books on naval subjects. In 1982 I wrote the text for a book on Australian naval art which was well illustrated by member Geoff Vollmer. Four years later I wrote ‘Historic Naval Events of Australia Day By Day’. Both these books were published by Reed Books Pty Ltd and enjoyed wide sales. In later years I added three more titles.

Books were also written in this period by members John Bastock, Ross Gillett and CPO J. Atkinson.

Although these works were privately undertaken they all owed something to the Society. They likewise contributed to the objects and aims of the Society.

The format of the Naval Historical Review was upgraded during this year. It was larger in format and high class full colour covers were introduced. The contents of the journal continued to be of a high standard.

Biographies

One of our great contributions to the history of the Royal Australian Navy was the large number of biographies which members researched and published in the Naval Historical Review. Listed among these were Admiral Dumaresq, Admiral Sir G.F. Hyde, Admiral Sir Victor Smith, Vice Admiral Sir David Stevenson, Rear Admiral Sir David Martin, Commodore Sir James Ramsay, Captain Harry Howden, Captain A.S. Rosenthal, Captain J. Burnett, Captain A.V. Knight, Jesus Zammitt and Third Officer Ruby Boyes. This wealth of biographical material written by members who served with the subjects of their research was a significant and invaluable contribution.

1986 was the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Navy and befitting of the occasion Her Majesty, the Queen, unveiled the National Naval Memorial at Canberra on 3rd March. The magnificent sculpture fronts Anzac Parade in front of the National War Memorial.

A large number of Society members attended the ceremony; unfortunately I was unable to attend but some weeks later inspected the memorial.

The Royal Australian Navy and the Society were heavily involved in the later events of the year as the following programme for October indicates.

Organising the 75th Anniversary Celebrations was one of the biggest undertakings of the RAN. Planning commenced a year before the event and a large staff was located at the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo for the purpose. It was fortunate that I was appointed a member of the Committee. The Society interests were well looked to and an allocation of tickets for all events was made available for all Society members.

The three days of events were shared by members from all States. A special welcome was given to members who visited HMS INVINCIBLE and the Captain allowed us to buy from the ship’s shop. At least 70 members became the proud owners of HMS INVINCIBLE jumpers and caps. This shop was an example for all ships, all lines were carried in both male and female fittings.

Before the ship sailed the Captain presented the Museum with a fine mounted ship’s crest.

To commemorate the important anniversary the NHS ensured that the covers of the September and December issues of the Naval Historical Review were appropriate for the occasion. Both carried full colour reproductions of the magnificent programmes issued to commemorate the arrival of `The Australian Fleet’ at Sydney on 4 October, 1913.

Three books on the RAN were published during the year. These were ‘DEMS? WHAT’S DEMS?’ by Alex Marcus, President of our South Australian Chapter, ‘BY SKILL AND VALOUR’ by James J. Atkinson and ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY, A YEAR BY YEAR RECORD’ by Lew Lind. All three books were well received and threw further focus on the RAN’s 75th Anniversary.