| Accession Number | REL/11987.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Cotton jean, Linen |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Australia Goes To War: The RAN mobilised |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1912 - 1919 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Seaman's tropical square rig jumper : Able Seaman Gunner O G Morris, HMAS Australia (I), RAN
Description
White duck tropical square rig jumper with cuffs, reinforcement panels and lower edge bound in blue jean. It has square blue jean collar with triple white edging and white cotton tapes. Right sleeve has blue embroidered badge for seaman gunner and left sleeve has blue embroidered good conduct stripe.
History / Summary
This tropical square rig jumper was worn as part of the summer uniform by 2351 Able Seaman Gunner, Otto George Morris during ceremonial occasions.
Morris was born in Naringaningalook in Victoria on 23 November 1894. He was one day short of his eighteenth birthday when he enlisted for seven years with the RAN on 22 November 1912. After spending just over a month at Cerberus, Morris's training continued for service on torpedo boat destroyers and he joined HMAS Yarra on 1 October 1913.
At the beginning of July 1914, Morris was posted to the light cruiser HMAS Sydney. The outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the Sydney was engaged in operations against Germany's Pacific colonies and destroyed a radio station in the Pelew Islands. Returning to Australian waters, Sydney joined the escort of the first troop convoy from Australia to the Middle East, which left Albany on 1 November 1914.
On 9 November, Sydney was detailed to leave the convoy to investigate reports of an unknown vessel off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This vessel turned out to be the German cruiser SMS Emden. In the resulting engagement, in which Morris was a gunner, Sydney was hit early by the long-ranging 10.5 cm guns of Emden, resulting in four dead and twelve wounded. However, the superior firepower of the Australian cruiser's broadside soon told and Emden was left 'beached and done for' on North Keeling Island.
Morris served with the Sydney until September 1917, with his next ship posting being the cruiser HMAS Melbourne which he joined in mid April 1919. He served with the Melbourne until 5 August 1919, the day the ship was paid off and laid up. Morris's last posting was HMAS Australia (I), where he spent his last days in the RAN and was discharged on 12 December 1919.