Tiger-pie

That type of stitching is what we refer to in the Navy as 'homeward-bounders', probably had his steward (valet) sew it in for him. Regards, Johnsy

The only member of the BFC to get any award was Cooper. During fighting on the Eastern Front he was wounded through both thighs by shrapnel from an arty round, thus qualifying for a wound medal. He was the only really motivated member, being part German, and as he could speak fluent German he was able to operate without a translator. Regards, Johnsy

I stand corrected as I just checked ASOD, from ASOD: "The order of precedence for emblems of Australian citations is Unit Citation for Gallantry then Meritorious Unit Citation. Foreign awards are worn after Australian awards and are worn in the order of the date awarded except that if two or more awards by one nation are worn, awards are placed in the order of precedence determined by that nation." F##ckig pongos always make it difficult. Navy wears theirs below their medals. Regards, Johnsy Edit: I hope the RSM gave him a kick in the 'arris.

He had a good innings. http://www.frontkjemper.info/show_person.php?P_ID=1347

The Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry is closest to his heart, i.e. left hand side, therefore correct precedence has been maintained. Regards, Johnsy

Ah, well I didn't notice the upper section, I thought that I was looking at a triangular badge. I can at least narrow it down for you slightly, see link below. Regards, Johnsy http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges...ches/inf.htm#16 Edit: There are no Claude's on the Nominal Roll, so I am assuming that is his first name. I put in a search at these three links. Guess you will have to do it the hard way, and get a copy of the MM's awarded. http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/awm28/index.asp http://www.awm.gov.au/nominalrolls/ww1/emb...ion/results.asp http://www.awm.gov.au/nominalrolls/ww1/pag...;Surname=claude

To echo what Leigh said, if you can get a scan of the patch, or give a description, we may be able to narrow it down. I suspect an MG battalion judging from the patch shape. Regards, Johnsy

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-army-t...-sasr/1_rar.htm

The commemorative cartridge is passed to Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, by the family representatives (L-R) Commodore (Retired) Rory Burnett, son of Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney II Captain Joseph Burnett, Mrs Margret Morse, daughter of Petty Officer John Davey and Mr Ted McGowan, brother of Able Thomas Henry McGowan.

Thanks for that story Colin, I can empathise with this blokes survivour guilt, the bond within the military is a strong one. I think this photo is a fitting one.

Thanks George. Just a clarification, they are headline posters (or whatever the correct term is), so the layout is: Sydney Found!! (as the headline) followed by a picture of the crew or the HMAS Sydney, depending on which newspaper printed it. With regards to the stories, I have already got digital copies, I just wanted to keep the headlines out of historical interest, as it has caught the nations interest, and mine as I have been following the story for many years. The Sydeny story stayed in the most view category for since its release, one week at first place. That doesn't happen too often Regards, Johnsy

G'da all. A mate, whose wife who works in a newsagency, has kindly put aside all the local and national newspaper 'flyers' (the type you see outside of a newsagency with the days headline news) regarding the finding of HMAS Sydney II. I would like to keep them looking as new as possible for as long as I can. What is the best method for storage of modern newspaper? I would also like to frame a couple some time in the future. What precautions should I take to avoid yellowing? What would be the best materials to use when framing to deter ageing? Regards, Johnsy

Sydney's bow inverted, note that the picks are still in place. After sailing standard practice is to secure the focsle for sea. Part of this process is hauling back on the chain until the picks are home, and securing them under tension so they don't work loose during 'roughers' (big seas). Pick=anchor for you landlubbers.

Some further shots. These photoguides show areas where the photos were taken. All images from www.findingsydney.com

That DIY plan in mahogany looks nice, thanks for posting. May invest in those plans I think. Regards, Johnsy

It is my pleasure Ed, tinged with a little sadness, to keep those who have been following this story up to date. See link in above post for pictures of when she was alive. The photos of the wreakage are also on that link, and give descriptions of each picture (something I forgot in my haste to post the images). With regards to Nazis our navy, which is often overlooked when dicussing Australian WW2 history, certainly got plenty of payback in the Med against Germany and their allies. Regards, Johnsy

I don't know Rick, they were closed up for action and the bridge was hit, so that would be all the brass out the windows, literally. With no officers left to direct the men during the battle or any survivors post-battle, it is possible. They were a well trained and battle experianced crew, but individual initiative isn't something that sailors of the time were taught. Regards, Johnsy

Images # 2. For further reading, see link. http://www.findingsydney.com/ Regards, Johnsy

HMAS Sydney seen for the first time Arjun Ramachandran April 4, 2008 - 8:45AM The first photographs of the recovered wreck, HMAS Sydney, have been released. Last month, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the World War II warship had been located using sonar images at a depth of 2470 metres. The Sydney's entire crew had gone down with the ship in the Indian Ocean in November 1941, after what was believed to be a fatal battle with the German raider, Kormoran. The Finding Sydney Foundation released the first photographs of the wreck, "positively identifying the wreck of Sydney", it said. Finding Sydney Foundation search director David Mearns said there had been "no mistaking" the wreck. "Because we landed nearer to the stern we begin moving slowly in that direction to see if we could locate Sydney's bell on the quarterdeck (sadly it was nowhere to be found) or possibly her name on the stern in case we were mistaken and her brass lettering hadn't been removed as part of her wartime preparations," he said. " But there was no mistaking that the wreck before us was that of HMAS Sydney and that her damage matched perfectly to what we expected from the side-scan sonar imagery and from the German accounts of the battle." Based on the damage, Mr Mearns concluded that the Sydney hit the seabed stern first, and then slid 50 metres to her final resting place. "Both funnels and masts were gone and all the lifeboats were missing from their cradle stands, but all four turrets were retained in place," he said. "As per the German accounts the bridge and superstructure of Sydney withstood the worst damage as the heavy guns of Kormoran clearly had a devastating effect." This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/04/1207249402155.html

Picture of the Legion of Frontiersmen - Long & Efficient Service Medal - Australia Regards, Johnsy

Corporal Anthony Gill rests on arms.

At the service commemorating the 87th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney, Corporal Casey Vonhoff, as part of the Catafalque party, presents arms and salutes during the Last Post.

Update: Weather permitting SV Geosounder will send down an ROV PM 2nd April (i.e. this afternoon Australian ESDT, AM in Western Australia). The Geosounder has been given approval by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to approach the wrecks of the Sydney and the Kormoran for the purpose of taking photographic images and video. Regards, Johnsy

So it would be correct to say that the 'face value' of this coin was nothing, and that it indicated that someone had paid ten shillings for it as a donation toward the SS? Johnsy

I will check the details Leigh, I think this one is from the post Great War period. Johnsy