Officer's undress jacket : Lieutenant H R Syme Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve

Place Europe: United Kingdom
Accession Number REL35391
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton twill, Gilded brass, Gold lace, Superfine wool
Maker Geo Spencer
Place made United Kingdom: England, Hampshire, Portsmouth
Date made c 1940-1941
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve officer's black wool superfine undress or 'monkey' jacket. The double breasted jacket has notched turn back lapels; two rows of four gilded brass RAN officer's buttons, made by Firmin, London; an inset welt pocket on the left breast; two inset welt pockets over each hip and short back vents. Each cuff bears gold 'wavy' lace for a volunteer reserve officer lieutenant. The body of the jacket is lined with black polished cotton twill and the sleeves with blue striped white cotton twill. There is an inset pocket in the right front lining. The inside left front of the jacket has two black plastic buttons which fasten into the top and bottom buttonholes, beside the right hand row of buttons, to secure the weight of the fabric. A black and white manufacturer's label printed on glazed linen is sewn to the inside of the inset pocket in the lining and reads, 'GEO. SPENCER, 8, ORDNANCE ROW, THE HARD, PORTSMOUTH. LONDON ADDRESS: 7, SACKVILLE ST., PICCADILLY, W.1'. The label is also marked in ink, 'Lieut H R Syme RANVR'.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR). Syme was born on 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. His father, John Herbert, was a journalist, and his son settled into the family business (they published 'The Age' newspaper) as assistant manager before the war. As a keen amateur sailor, the 6 foot tall Syme was accepted in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR) as part of the Yachtsman Scheme (whereby the Australian Naval Board provided personnel to the Admiralty via the RANVR).

He passed a navigation test and was appointed a probationary sub-lieutenant on 1 September 1940. Syme was soon mobilised to England and trained at HMS King Alfred. He was among the first group of Australians to be chosen to serve in the Rendering Mines Safe section and they received specialist training and were posted to HMS Vernon where the section was based.

Syme was promoted to lieutenant in mid December 1940. German bombing and air raids ensured the team had plenty of practice disarming unexploded mines and bombs. Syme rapidly developed a reputation for bravery, being awarded the George Cross and George Medal and bar for a string of successful mine recoveries. He is only one of eight people who have been awarded both the George Cross and George Medals for gallantry.

In January 1943 Syme returned to Australia following the deaths of his father and uncle, becoming temporary trustee of the family business. Despite his desire to return England, the RAN decided to keep him in Australia and utilise his expertise, setting him up in April 1943 at HMAS Cerberus as Commanding Officer of a bomb-disposal section. Little was asked of the section and Syme departed in December 1944, returning to the family business. In 1946 he was appointed general manager of 'The Age'. Syme returned to uniform briefly as part of Australia's Coronation Contingent in 1953. In 1948, Syme formed David Syme & Co. Ltd. He oversaw the company's entry into television in 1956 and was general manager until 1963. Syme was then director of the company until his death on 11 November 1965.