Lot 3948

Description

Australian Naval Contingent, Otranto, March.April.1910, in silver (25mm), hallmarked for Elkington & Co, Birmingham 1910, reverse inscribed, 'J.Mullen/Str'; also includes English shilling, 1849 in silver frame, obverse shaved and engraved monogram initials 'JHM'; English halfcrown, 1883 with reverse shaved and engraved monogram initials, 'SB', brooch pin fitting on obverse, pin missing; voided Australian shilling to create a pendant of the Australian arms; WWII General Service badge (Home Service). Very fine - extremely fine and rare. (5)

Australia sent a contingent of about 70 or 80 officers and men of the Permanent Commonwealth Naval Force to England in March 1910 on RMS Otranto. About 25 were from South Australia and the rest from Eastern states. They were to attend Portsmouth for training in torpedo, gunnery and signalling classes prior to manning the new Australian torpedo-boat destroyers, Parramatta and Yarra.