HMAS Sydney - Bartolomeo Colleoni Medallion: Leading Steward E V Ryding, HMAS Sydney

Accession Number AWM2018.283.1
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medallion
Physical description Silver
Maker Amor
Place made Australia: New South Wales, Sydney
Date made 1940-1941
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Source credit to This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government.
Description

Oxidised silver HMAS Sydney Bartolomeo Colleoni Medal (2nd type). Engraved around edge 'E.V. RYDING. LD. STD. ON. 20737.'. The obverse shows HMAS Sydney II with the burning and sinking cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni behind her. The reverse bears laurel branches top and bottom, a naval crown and anchor and the words 'PRESENTED BY/ THE CITIZENS OF SYDNEY/ TO CAPTAIN J.A. COLLINS C.B., R.A.N./ THE OFFICERS AND SHIP'S COMPANY/ IN COMMEMORATION OF THEIR GALLANT FIGHT,/ AGAINST SUPERIOR SPEED AND WEIGHT OF/ ARMAMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SINKING/ OF THE ITALIAN CRUISER/ BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI/ IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA/ JULY NINETEEN/ 1940

History / Summary

The Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni was sunk by HMAS Sydney on 19 July 1940 in the Mediterranean Sea during the Battle of Cape Spada. Upon her return home in February 1941 HMAS Sydney received a royal welcome. The Lord Mayor of Sydney Alderman Crick presented a plaque to the ship recognising the sinking of the Bartolomeo Colleoni. Medallions similar to the plaque were presented to the Captain and crew.

This medallion was presented to 20737 Leading Steward Ernest Verdun Ryding. Ryding was born in Mount Lawley, Western Australia on 18 July 1916 and joined the Navy in 1935. Becoming a Leading Steward on 1 February 1939, Ryding had served aboard the Sydney from 10 August 1937.

On 25 October 1941 Shortly before HMAS Sydney was due to sail from Fremantle on escort duties, the ship’s surgeon Surgeon Commander John Reid Hasker sent Ryding off the ship on sick leave. Ryding was suffering from what turned out to be a burst ulcer.

Only three weeks later on 19 November the Sydney was lost in action after an engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, with the loss of all her crew.

Ryding continued to serve until 16 June 1943 when he was discharged. Suffering from 'survivor’s guilt' Ryding spent his entire life wondering what had happened to his beloved ship and his mates. Ryding died on 24 April 2006 – still not knowing where the Sydney was. However prior to his death Ryding's daughter promised her father that if the ship was ever found and it was at all possible, she would scatter his ashes near the site of Sydney's final resting place.

HMAS Sydney was located on 17 March 2008. On 19 November of that year, in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy, Ryding's daughter was able to scatter her father’s ashes during a special memorial service aboard HMAS Kanimbla to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the sinking. While on board she was introduced to John Hasker, the son of the ship’s surgeon – the doctor who lost his own life in the battle with Kormoran, but who saved her father’s by sending him ashore.

She also took this medallion with her on that trip and it was handed around with great reverence by all on board as none had ever seen an original before, only a replica. Only one medallion was issued to each member of the ship’s company; most were held in the Purser’s office and went down with the ship.