The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Silver medalet in red case. The obverse of the medalet has a relief image of HMAS Sydney in the centre. Around the top are the words 'TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY OVER THE EMDEN'. Below the ship are the words 'H.M.A.S. SYDNEY 9TH NOV. 1914'. The reverse of the medalet has a wreath around the edge with a swan at the top. Beneath the swan are the words 'PRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA TO'. The rest of the writing is engraved 'W. BENNEY. ABLE SEAMAN'. The case is a square lidded box with a brass hinge and a push button latch. The base is lined with blue velvet and has an indent for the medalet to rest in. The lid of the box is lined with white polished cotton and printed with 'J.C.Taylor's Jewellery Works Hay Street Perth. W.A.'.
Awarded by the people of Western Australia to 7043 Able Seaman William John Benney of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). All officers and men of HMAS Sydney who were involved in the successful engagement with the German raider SMS Emden on 9 November 1914, were presented with this medalet on 17 October 1917 in Chatham, England.
Benney was born in Gisborne, New Zealand on 30 May 1889, and enlisted in the RAN in October 1912. His first ship was HMAS Melbourne which he sailed in from England to Australia in 1913. After leaving Melbourne in November 1913 Benney was stationed at HMAS Penguin when his initial engagement with the RAN expired on 26 January 1914.
Benney re-enlisted on 31 August 1914 and was posted to HMAS Sydney on 20 September. He went on to serve for the majority of the war on the Sydney. In October 1918, Benney was posted to the London Depot, where he remained until the end of August 1919. He then returned to Australia and was discharged on 4 October 1920.
Medalet featuring, on the obverse, an image of HMAS Sydney under sail above which are the words 'TO COMMEMMORATE THE VICTORY OVER THE EMDEN' and underneath 'HMAS SYDNEY / 9th Nov 1914'. The designer's
Medalet featuring, on the obverse, an image of HMAS Sydney under sail above which are the words 'TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY OVER THE EMDEN' and underneath 'HMAS SYDNEY / 9th Nov 1914'. The designer's
Circular sterling silver badge with enamel detailing, featuring the 1908 design for the coat of arms for Sydney, enamelled in red, yellow and blue, all on a white background. The words 'H.M.A.S. SYDNE
Circular bronze medalet commemorating the first visit of the Commonwealth fleet to Sydney on 4 October 1913. The obverse shows the battle cruiser HMAS Australia with the Sydney shoreline in the backgr
Medal featuring, on the obverse, an image of HMAS Sydney under steam above which are the words 'TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY OVER THE EMDEN' and underneath 'HMAS SYDNEY / 9th Nov 1914'. The designer's i
Sailor's cap with an HMAS Australia tally ribbon tied over the blue wool cap band. The cap outer is constructed from whitened canvas and features two white metal eye vent holes on each side. Internall
