Pair of British Merchant Navy Master rank epaulettes : Captain H W Bolles

Pair of British Second World War Merchant Navy Master rank epaulettes. The epaulettes have a black wool upper and a white cotton underside. The rank shown on the epaulettes in that of a Merchant Navy Master. The rank itself is shown in gold bullion braid. At the neck end of each epaulette is a gilded brass button with the Merchant Navy crown and anchor raised in the middle. On the reverse of the button has been soldered a loop to be attached with a split pin to the base of the uniform's neck. On the reverse of the button are the maker's details 'GAUNT / LONDON'. On the underside of each epaulette, two laces have been sewn into the lining. These laces would be used to attach each epaulette to the shoulders of the uniform.

Associated with the service of Herbert Woodville Bolles during his career in the Merchant Navy. Bolles was born in 1923 in Brisbane and commenced his tenure with the Merchant Navy on 4 March 1941 when he signed his 'Indentures of Apprenticeship to the Sea Service' at the Mercantile Marine offices in Townsville. The first ship he served on was the passenger ship Ormiston which sailed the Australian eastern sea board. On 17 December 1941, Bolles, along with another shipmate transferred to the cargo ship Macumba. The Macumba plied the eastern seaboard and travelled to Port Moresby on numerous occasions. In March 1943, Bolles joined the passenger ship Tanda. Over the next year the ship made many voyages to Sri Lanka and India with various cargos and passengers, including on one journey General Sir Iven and Lady Mackay. In June 1944, Bolles was promoted to third officer and joined the Mildura. He was transferred again several months later to River Fitzroy. In March 1945, Bolles was transferred to the Corinda. This was his last posting of the Second World War. He finished the war as second officer on the River Fitzroy. Bolles had several lucky escapes during the war. The Ormiston was damaged and Macumba and Tanda sunk after Bolles had been transferred. Post war, Bolles served on a variety of merchant vessels including as a Sydney Harbour sea pilot before retiring in 1984 as a captain.