| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL30498 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Sterling silver; Silver-plated Metal; Lacquered silver |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1912 |
| Conflict |
Period 1910-1919 First World War, 1914-1918 |
Set of full dress shoe and garter buckles : Chaplain V A S Little, RAN
Description
Set of full dress shoe and garter buckles to be attached to the patent leather shoes (pumps) and garters worn by a naval chaplain in full or ball dress. The set consists of a pair of large curved shoe buckles edged in silver, with black lacquered centres. The back of the buckles are blued and have elablorate steel spring loaded mechanisms for attachment to the vamp of each shoe. They are stamped R (right) and L (left). Also part of the set are a pair of much smaller sterling silver garter buckles, to be worn on the garters holding up the silk stockings worn with knee breeches. They have London hallmarks for 1912, and double chapes.
History / Summary
Chaplain Vivian Agincourt Spence Little joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as a naval chaplian in 1913 and was posted to HMAS Encounter. As a Methodist he was the first non-Anglican protestant chaplain to be appointed to the RAN. He travelled to England in the Encounter to become part of the complement of the newly commissioned light cruiser HMAS Sydney on her maiden voyage to Australia. He remained with the Sydney until 1917 and was serving in the ship during its fight with SMS Emden off the Cocos Keeling Islands on 9 November 1914.