| Place | Asia: Netherlands East Indies, Sunda Strait |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/03691 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Copper; Metal |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 2: Japan POW |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Seaman's Clasp Knife : Ordinary Seaman A P Stuart, HMAS Perth, Royal Australian Navy
Description
Standard navy issue seaman's clasp knife. The unit features an 80 mm folding blade with 'GREGSTEEL' marked on the ricasso. The opposite end of the knife is equipped with a 100mm folding marlin spike. The handle is cut with a diamond pattern grip and is fitted with a swivel copper carrying loop. One side of the grip features a raised 76 x 7 mm flat name plate onto which is engraved, 'ATHOL P STUART'. At the spike end of the knife is a short 9 mm fixed screwdriver blade. The entire unit is rivetted together.
History / Summary
This knife was carried by Ordinary Seaman A P Stuart. Athol Pelham Stuart was born in Chester, England in 1922 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in January 1941. Ordinary Seaman Stuart served on the cruiser HMAS Perth and was taken prisoner by the Japanese after the Perth was sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942. He survived captivity and was discharged from the RAN in June 1946.