Darley, Frederick Campbell (Commander, b.1886 - d.1926)

Place Oceania: Pacific Islands
Accession Number 1DRL/0232
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement 1 wallet: 1 cm
Object type Letter
Maker Darley, Frederick Campbell
Place made At sea, Pacific Islands
Date made 1914
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM93 12/11/65
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Description

Collection relating to service of Commander Frederick Campbell Darley, RAN and RN, 1914. Collection contains letters written to family in Australia by Darley while he was serving on HMAS Australia in Pacific waters.

History / Summary

This collection provides much information on the early life of HMAS Australia. Darley's letters reflect the feelings and concerns of a Gunnery Officer at the commencement of the war when ships were being made ready for active engagement. The collection contains much information on the practical aspects of First World War battleships, including coaling activities and gunnery training. Darley gives a view of Admiralty directions from the perspective of a seagoing officer with little access to news or official information. Darleys' eagerness to be in a more active theatre of war is evident. Darley also comments on the mood of the ship's crew after many months on patrol.


Biographical note: Royal Navy officer. (Attached to RAN). Son of a former President of the Sydney Water-Supply and Sewerage Board and possibly, nephew of Sir --Darley, one time Chief Justice of New South Wales. Commander Darley was appointed to HMAS Australia when she was first commissioned and served in her until after the war, when he reverted to the British Navy. He was killed at Wanshien, North China in 1926, when leading a naval party against Chinese pirates who had captured a British steamer.