| Accession Number | AWM2019.1170.5 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cardboard |
| Maker |
Bryant & May |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1938-1939 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Souvenir match book with matches: Supply Assistant Horace Russell Keats, HMAS Canberra
Description
HMAS Canberra souvenir match book with matches and printed yellow cover. The front is printed in blue with a large 'C' within a laurel wreath, within a circle of oak and laurel bearing the word 'CANBERRA'. Above a naval crown; beneath, on a scroll 'H.M.A.S. Canberra'. The back is printed with an image of the ship with blue text beneath it 'H.M.A.S. "CANBERRA" 10,000 TONS 80,000 H.P. 8.8IN. GUNS 4. 4 IN. GUNS'. The folded upper short end is printed 'H.M.A.S. CANBERRA' and the lower end 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY BRYANT & MAY'.
History / Summary
Born in Stanmore, New South Wales in August 1921, 23768 Supply Assistant Russell Horace Keats entered the Royal Australian Navy on 29 November 1939. After training at HMAS Cerberus and Penguin he joined the County Class Heavy Cruiser HMAS Canberra on 3 September 1942. He was killed when the ship was attacked and sunk near Savo Island on 9 August 1942.
Match books like this one were among the small souvenirs carried by larger RAN ships in peacetime and offered to members of the public who visited the ships on open days in Australian home ports. They could also be purchased in the ship's canteen by crew members.