Officer's peaked cap : Sub-Lieutenant B W Drummond, HMAS Shepparton

Places
Accession Number REL32536.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Headdress
Physical description Wool; Cotton; Patent leather; Leatherette; Metal
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1944
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

RAN officer's peaked cap with pressed metal wartime economy issue badge. The cap has a dark blue wool band with a padded white cotton crown. The crown has a white pique cotton cover. The black patent leather peak is lined with green leatherette. A pressed gold and silver metal wartime economy issue officer's cap badge is attached to a black woven mohair band. The remains of a red wool backing behind the crown surmounting the badge is visible. The cap is lined with black cotton twill and has a brown leatherette sweatband stamped 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA R.A.N.'.

History / Summary

This cap was worn by Sub-Lieutenant Bruce William Drummond during his service in the corvette HMAS Shepparton. Drummond was born in Toowooomba, Queensland, in 1921. He left school at the age of 16 to work in the Commonwealth Bank. Drummond enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve on 10 October 1941 and was assigned the service number B3368. After training as a specilaist in anti-submarine detection he was posted to HMAS Dubbo in August 1942. In September 1943 he was recalled from sea-going duty to undertake officer training, which he completed in March 1944. In September 1944 he was posted to HMAS Shepparton where he served as an assistant surveyor in Australian and New Guinea waters until after the war. Immediately after the end of the war Shepparton was responsible for surveying Rabaul harbour to ensure it was free of mines and safe for use by Allied shipping. Drummond was discharged from the RAN on 20 March 1946 and returned to work in the bank. In 1956 he left to study medicine and graduated as a doctor in 1961. He died in 1990. Drummond's three brothers also served in the RAN during the Second World War. Desmond Bernard served as a petty officer in HMAS Kanimbla; Alan Edward served as an able seaman stoker in HMA ships Hobart and Fremantle; and his twin brother John Leslie served as an able seaman in HMA ships Nepal and Bataan.