Sailor's collar : Stoker J Robb, HMAS Sydney I

Place Approximate locations: At sea
Accession Number REL32533.005
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1913-1919
Conflict Period 1910-1919
First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Blue cotton sailor's square rig collar. The top section of collar which sits on the back is square edged. The bottom section is divided into three panels. The middle panel sits down the back inside the sailor's flannel and the outside pieces sit either side of the neck in front. The back and sides of the collar are trimmed with three narrow lines of white cotton. The ends of the three panels have tapes and loops for securing the collar inside the flannel around the waist. The reverse side of the collar is made of white cotton and is marked in black ink in two places with 'J.ROBB'.

History / Summary

This collar, which is placed over the serge jumper, was worn by 3541 Stoker John Robb of the Royal Australian Navy. He was born in Ultimo, Sydney in December 1895 and aged 18, joined the Navy on 31 December 1913 as a Stoker, 2nd Class. He joined the crew of HMAS Sydney in February 1914 and was promoted to Stoker in October. While serving in the Sydney during the First World War Robb took part in the capture of German New Guinea in September 1914 and in the successful engagement with the German raider SMS Emden off the Cocos Keeling Islands in November 1914. In January 1918 he joined the crew of HMAS Encounter and, at his request, was discharged from the RAN on 9 June 1919 with the rank of Acting Leading Stoker.