Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3504    Session 12 (11:30am Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $40,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF SIX FOR HMAS SYDNEY: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Navy Meritorious Service Medal (GVR type 1); War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. O.N.2870 T.Turnbull A/E.R.A. IV. on first medal, 2670 T.Turnbull. M.S.M. E.R.A.3. R.A.N. on second and third medals, 2670. T.Turnbull. E.R.A. 3Cl. "Sydney" Services During War. on fourth medal, T.Turnbull. R.A.N. on last two medals. The fifth medal engraved, probably a replacement issue, the rest impressed. The Victory Medal with heavy oxidation in parts, otherwise fine - good very fine.

Only four Navy Meritorious Service Medals (MSMs) awarded to the RAN during WWI with three awarded to crew of HMAS Sydney for 'valuable and consistent good service over a period of 5 1/2 years service in Sydney'. All were present during the 'Sydney-Emden' action. The recipients were Chief Yeoman of Signals J.A.Coleman, E.R.A. 2nd Class J.H.Dardell and E.R.A. 3rd Class T.Turnbull. The fourth MSM was awarded to CPO W.G.Redfern 'for services in minesweeping between 1 July and 31 December 1918.' Two other MSMs were awarded to HMAS Sydney crew but they were RN on attachment, namely Ch. Ship's Cook F.Finlay and CPO Telegraphist T.L.Perry.

Together with;

1.HMAS Sydney - SMS Emden, Nov 9, 1914, medal by W.Kerr, Sydney (C.1914/4), reverse of suspension area inscribed, 'R.A.N./2760/T.Turnbull'.

2. Miniature Maori greenstone mere club, with gold suspension loop and gold band inscribed, 'H.M.A.S./Sydney' on one side and '9.11.14' on the other side.

3. Naval Officer's sword and scabbard with belt and Navy buckle in brass, the belt marked 'Made in England for/Chorley & Co/Outfitters/Sydney, N.S.W.'

4. Cocked hat in fitted metal carry case bearing the name 'T.Turnbull'.

5. Various photos including a small photo album with photos, cards, documents and other items.

6. Envelope addressed to Thomas Turnbull E.R.A., H.M.A.S. Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W., postmarked Melbourne 15Jul1919.

7. Various letters of reference for T.Turnbull from former employees prior to him joining the Navy.

8.Passing Certificate of Qualification for the Rating of ERA from Navy Board.

9. Certificate of Capability of ERAs to take charge of the Watch or of the Engines of a ship to HMAS Sydney at Bermuda, 1 February 1916, for Thomas Turnbull and signed personally by A.W.Coleman, Eng Comd (Engineer Officer) and John C.T.Glossop, Captain.

10. Copy of letter dated 9 Nov 1914 by Capt J.T.C.Glossop to Captain of H.I.G.M.S. "Emden" requesting surrender.

11.Hand drawn and colour illustrated diagram of the courses taken by Sydney and Emden during the action on Nov 1, 1914 at Cocos Island, drawn and signed by Albert M.Barker, Sydney 1916.

12. Letter dated December 10th, 1917, from Victorian War Savings Committee to Miss Clare I.Wallace (later Mrs T.Turnbull) thanking her for her idea for a simpler type of war savings book which they intended to implement.

13. Certificate of Marriage dated 10Apr1920 to Clara Isabella Wallace, born at Stawell, Victoria.

14. References for T.Turnbull from various HMAS Sydney officers dated 1919.

15. Other qualifying certificates and medical report copy for T.Turnbull and various other booklets, documents and photos.

16. Certificate of Discharge for Lt.Cdr. (E) T.Turnbull MSM, entered for war service 30Aug1939 as a commissioned officer 13Aug1939 to 03Jun1947 including active service.

17. Will of Thomas Turnbull.

18. Certificate of Discharge for Pte Leslie John Wallace, 25 Bn (Mrs Turnbull's brother).

19. Shrapnel (53x25mm irregular) with attached note 'This piece of shrapnel is identical to one at the Canberra War Memorial which they say came from a bomb dropped on the "Sydney" by Zeppelin L43 4/5/1917 but I believe the shrapnel is from S.M.S.Emden as it had numerous strikes on the Sydney and the Zepplin missed with all attempts to hit HMAS Sydney.'; also a German ten pfennig coin, 1900, believed to be from Emden.

20. Brass plates ex Sydney's Engine Room, the first (87x152mm) marked 'Manoeuvring Table', with instructions below in 7-lines; the second (77x226mm) marked 'Caution Against Priming', with instructions below in 6-lines.

MSM: LG 21/6/1919, p7908, posn 1.

Thomas Turnbull, born 24Oct1882 at Southwick, Durham, England; immigrated to Australia 1912; Enl.01Feb1913 in RAN for 5 years; 01Feb1916 1st Good Conduct Badge; 01Feb1918 2nd Good Conduct Badge; renewed his engagement 29Sep1919; Demobilized 30Sep1919; served on HMAS Sydney 12Jun1914-30Sep1919, other postings before and after at Cerberus and Penguin.

Thomas Turnbull is commemorated on a memorial plaque at Rookwood War Cemetery, Sydney, NSW, wall 10, panel J. He and his wife's ashes are at Northern Suburbs Crematorium Wall ES57 and E58.