Defence Medal : Petty Officer H A Roope, HMAS Norman

Defence Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

This medal relates to the service of Petty Officer Hubert Arthur Roope, a sailor with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) before and during the Second World War.

Roope was born on 19 February 1897 in Birchington, Kent. He joined the Royal Navy (RN) as a Boy II Class on 22 April 1913. On 19 February 1915 at age 18 he entered into a twelve year engagement. After training in the United Kingdom and promoted to Leading Seaman he served aboard several surface navy vessels including HMS Devonshire before undertaking submarine training and being posted to the submarine K.6. In 1919 he crewed a J class submarine from the UK to Australia and was temporarily seconded to the RAN. He permanently transferred to the RAN on 12 October 1921 as an acting petty officer. In 1927 he left the RAN but the following year he rejoined, this time as a constable with the RAN Police at Garden Island, serving in this position until 1931. In 1940 he became a member of the RAN Reserve serving at home and abroad until March 1945 with the rank of petty officer.

During his wartime service he served aboard several ship and shore establishments including travelling to the UK in 1941 to crew the newly launched HMAS Norman. Between 1941 and 1943 Roope served upon both the HMAS Norman and Nepal. Roope died in 1987.