| Place | Approximate locations: At sea |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL39392 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Brass, Canvas, String |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1958-64 |
| Conflict |
Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960 Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Seabag : Leading Seaman Radar Plotter J G Barclay, Royal Australian Navy
Description
Large cylindrical tan canvas sea kit bag. The opening of the bag has eight brass eyelets with a drawstring for securing contents. An inner flap extends down 300mm from the circumference of the mouth. The inner flap has 12 smaller brass eyelets. The main body is made with a 920 mm wide single piece of canvas with the ends sewn together creating a 60mm wide double stitched join. Stencilled in black on the join is 'JG BARCLAY.' The 425mm base has a canvas strip carry handle sewn into the centre. Stencilled in black below the handle is 'J.G.BARKLEY.'
History / Summary
This seabag was used 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.