HMAS Sydney

HMAS Sydney is a name that conjures up many images in the minds of Australians. Although there have been four different Sydneys, the exploits of the two Sydneys in the First and Second World War are the stuff of legend.

The first HMAS Sydney was launched in August 1912. A Chatham class light cruiser, the Sydney’s most famous action came while it was performing protection duties for the ANZAC fleet near the Cocos Islands in 1914. After hearing a report that the German cruiser SMS Emden was nearby, Sydney went to investigate. The battle between the Emden and the Sydney lasted for several hours and was the first naval engagement of the war for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The result of the battle was a resounding victory for the Sydney, with the Emden being sunk. This victory was a fantastic boost for the morale and spirits of not only the Australian troops but the people at home.

For the rest of the war the first HMAS Sydney served out duties in British waters before becoming a flag ship for the RAN. In 1929 she was broken up, with her mast and bow being turned into monuments, commemorating her actions as well as those sailors who have lost their lives during wartimes.

The second HMAS Sydney is perhaps the most infamous of the lot. Launched in 1934 and commissioned in 1935, the Leander class light cruiser experienced great success in the first years of World War Two. Not only did she sink the Italian destroyer Espero and help sink the destroyer Zeffiro but she helped take out two high speed Italian cruisers which ensured the Allies were able to control the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean for the duration of the war.

In 1941, after some refits, the Sydney went to Fremantle so it could carry out patrol and escort duties in the Indian Ocean. After escorting a ship to the Sunda Strait the Sydney was on its way back to Fremantle when it spotted a merchant ship. The Sydney challenged the ship which identified itself as a Dutch vessel. The Sydney closed in only to discover that the boat was in fact the German cruiser Kormoran in disguise.

The Kormoran engaged the Sydney and neither ship survived the ensuing battle. The Sydney was last seen limping away fully ablaze, the ship and her 645 crew members were never seen again.

Since the second HMAS Sydney disappeared there have been two other HMAS Sydneys. The third HMAS Sydney was an aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1948. She was heavily involved in the Vietnam war, making 26 trips to the region transporting troops. The ship was scraped in 1975.

The fourth HMAS Sydney was commissioned in 1983 and was the first to undergo the $1 billion FFG Upgrade.

This medal group, obtained by Strand Coins, belonged to a sailor who sailed on the infamous second HMAS Sydney during WW2.

Petty Officer F.V.W Price served on the HMAS Sydney in 1937, three years after he enlisted. Although he wasn’t on the Sydney when it sunk, this medal group offers an interesting link to one of Australia’s most famous warships.

The grouping includes:
39-45 Star. This medal was awarded for service between the years of 39 and 45.
Africa Star. Awarded to Australian soldiers for service in Syria between June and July 1941.
Burma Star. This medal was awarded for service in the Burma Campaign between 41 and 45 or specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra. This medal also has a Pacific Bar which means that the bearer was also entitled to the Pacific Star but the medals were not permitted to be worn together and hence the bar was issued.
39-45 War Medal. Awarded to those who served 28 days full-time between 39 and 45.
39-45 Australian Service Medal. Awarded to those who had served at least 18 months full-time overseas between 39 and 45.

The medal grouping also includes a gents wristwatch that belonged to Price. The watch is engraved on the back: “F.Price. From No.1 Mess HMAS Sydney 1937.”

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