Drink coasters : Leading Seaman Radar Plotter J G Barclay, Royal Australian Navy

A set of 6 circular bamboo and glass drink coasters in cradle. Each coaster has an outer frame consisting of two 87 mm bamboo rings 8 mm apart supported by 38 equidistant bamboo struts. An additional thinner ring is positioned within the circumference of the base of the bottom ring to form a carrier for the circular laminated glass insert. A different butterfly of Japan is painted on the bottom frosted laminate of each insert and covered with a clear glass top section.

The cylindrical carrier is formed by two 100mm end rings separated and supported by two 134mm long rectangular pieces of bamboo attached at the horizontal diameter points of each ring. The bottom half of each of the ends is enclosed with a thatched pattern. The cradle section to hold the coasters is formed by 17, 134mm long bamboo rods positioned equidistant around the bottom half of the ends. A hinged handle is attached to the centre of each end piece. Two flat sections attached to the bottom of each end form the legs.

These coasters were collected by R52737 Jeffrey Gordon Barclay of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Barclay first entered the RAN as a 17 year old on 25 February 1957 and posted as an ordinary seaman on 25 August. The following year, on his eighteenth birthday, he signed on for a six year engagement. He was promoted to able bodied seaman on 25 August 1958. Between 25 March and 24 May 1959, Barclay served on board HMAS Melbourne during its annual eight week rotation as part of British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR).

The FESR commenced in 1955 with the aim of co-ordinating a defence response to threats in and to the South East Asia region. The reserve was made up of forces from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Malaya. It was also regarded as a rapid response unit if required by the South East Asia Treaty Organisation. Barclay's service on the Melbourne coincided with the FESR's reaction to the Malayan Emergency.

Promoted to acting leading seaman on board HMAS Queensborough on 10 August 1962, Barclay was serving on the ship during its diplomatic voyage, along with HMAS Quiberon, to Saigon in late January 1963. This was the last diplomatic visit to Vietnam by ships of the RAN prior the outbreak of hostilities.

Barclay's leading seaman rank was confirmed on 10 August 1963 while serving on HMAS Sydney, the rank later amended to leading seaman radar plotter. He left the service the following year at the completion of his enlistment.