- Author
- Wilson, Maury
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 1994 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The knowledge of the whereabouts of the trophy had been known to the writer since the early 1930’s, when the trophy, known in Naval circles as the “Soldier’s Badge” or the “Anzac Badge”, was hanging over the entrance to the Gunner’s store in the drill hall at the Naval Depot. Part of the duties of the writer, then a new-entry trainee, was to clean and polish the trophy (therefore how could he forget it?). He sighted it again in 1942, still hanging in the same place.
When it was returned to the Army, a considerable amount of refurbishing was necessary, as it had been in storage since 1960. On completion of this work, the trophy, once more in first-class condition, was sent to Canberra and hung in the entrance foyer of the Russell Hill offices (Army Headquarters). A suitably worded plaque was mounted beneath the trophy to inform the general public of its significance.
Newspapers, television and radio stations throughout the country gave some publicity to the recovery and restoration of the trophy and, as a result, the whole of the history became known. A Mr P.B. Smith of Adelaide, South Australia, wrote a long letter to the Minister for the Army disclosing the facts of the early history of the trophy and the reason why it was held for so long by the Royal Australian Navy.
It all began in South Australia prior to Federation some time before 1895. The beginning was a drawing made by a Mr F. Bartels to a design suggested by Major Jose Maria Gordon, of the South Australian Army. Evidence seems to point to the fact that the Major first saw the design for the trophy in a drill-hall at Ryde, New South Wales. A stage back-drop had been painted in a similar design. The Major was in Sydney on his honeymoon and was actively seeking a military appointment in a higher rank than that available to him in South Australia.
It is assumed the Major showed the Bartels drawing to Commander William Creswell, captain of the South Australian cruiser, HMCS PROTECTOR. He agreed to have the trophy made aboard his ship if Major Gordon supplied the material. When his artificers finished the job, Commander Creswell gave the trophy to the Major who displayed it on an easel in his quarters at Fort Glanville, near Port Adelaide, South Australia.
Major Gordon put the trophy to good use during recruiting tours of the State when he frequently told the audiences that he called it “The Australian Rising Sun” in reply to the Japanese Rising Sun flag as he regarded that nation to be a danger to Australia.
Gordon was promoted Colonel and posted to South Africa as a Special Service Officer, where for a time he commanded troops under General Hutton. After his return to Australia, he was promoted Brigadier-General. As this rank was higher than the South Australian establishment allowed, he was appointed Commandant in Victoria. He took the trophy with him and presented it to General Hutton.
The trophy was hung in General Hutton’s office, where it remained until his departure for England. Shortly before this, a private dinner-party was held in his honour by the senior Navy and Army officers.
Captain Creswell was present but Brigadier-General Gordon was absent due to a difference of opinion with General Hutton. Apparently, the General intended to return the trophy to Gordon, but as he was absent gave it to Creswell with the original drawing, which was entitled “Australian Rising Sun”.
The trophy remained Creswell’s personal property until he retired as Vice-Admiral, when he handed it over to the Royal Australian Navy. It was held for safekeeping at Williamstown until Flinders Naval Depot came into being in 1921. The trophy was then handed over to the Captain of that establishment and all Army contact with it was lost.
During 1928, a serious attempt was made by a Mr P.B. Smith to have the trophy handed back to the Army, which failed, mainly due to the fact that its presence was not recorded in naval official records! After years of research Mr Smith gave it up, but fortunately, kept records of all his actions.
Thus, the trophy remained with the Royal Australian Navy for many further years, seen by uncounted numbers of naval personnel, its importance unrecognised by those in whose charge it lay, and except for the fortuitous meeting in the Military Artist’s office probably would have been lost to the Army forever.
Note Concerning the Author
The author of this monograph served for many years in the Royal Australian Navy, from which he retired as a Chief Petty Officer. He joined Telecom where he served as a technical officer. He is a noted fly fisher and is the author of a long-awaited treatise of monumental proportions concerning Australian fly patterns which is still in preparation.