Chefs apron : Able Seaman M Hambleton, HMAS Toowoomba

White cotton conventional chefs apron with integral calico tie and neck string. The left piece of calico is 87.8 cm in length and the right one is 90 cm. There are numerous small stains on the object from use. There are no manufacturers labels or tags on the object.

This apron is associated with the service of Able Seaman (AB) Matthew Hambleton who served onboard the HMAS Toowoomba during Operation Catalyst. Hambleton joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2001 and was posted to HMAS Toowoomba on 31 January 2005.

His core role onboard the ship was as Able Seaman Cook, cooking in the galley providing meals for the 163 embarked personnel. Ancillary duties included standing sea fire brigade, flight deck crew and forward damage control repair station during action stations. As a member of standing sea fire brigade he was on call 24 hours to respond to emergency situations such as fire, floods and toxic hazards.

His flight deck crew responsibilities including manning the flight deck for helicopter replenishments and transfers and during action stations he manned the repair base as part of the damage control response organisation to enable the ship to remain afloat to fight whilst engaged in an action situation.

HMAS Toowoomba is an Anzac class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy and was laid down by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria on 26 July 2002. She was launched on 16 May 2003 by Ms Judy Blight, and commissioned on 8 October 2005.