The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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 initials (AW) appear immediately under the waves. On the reverse is a victory wreath, at the apex of which is a swan over the legend 'PRESENTED / BY THE PEOPLE OF / WESTERN AUSTRALIA / TO / J.A. HILL / ABLE SEAMAN'. Hill's name is engraved. The medal is provided with a suspension loop and does not have its original ribbon. A ring and a black and yellow ribbon have been added at a later date. There is a brooch fitting on the ribbon.
Awarded by the people of Western Australia to 2212 Able Seaman J A Hill of the Royal Australian Navy. 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 aboard HMAS Sydney.
Hill was born in Gippsland Victoria in 1893. He joined the Royal Australian Navy in September 1912 and was in the commissioning crew of HMAS Sydney. After the start of the First World War in August 1914 Hill was a member of the landing party from Sydney during the attack of German New Guinea in September and October.
Hill was a gunlayer on HMAS Sydney during the Emden engagement on the 9 November 1914. He went ashore the next day on to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the SMS Emden after the battle.
After leaving the Navy in 1918, the donor family state that Hill commenced a diving career that saw service as a diver for the Commonwealth in the Second World War. He recovered items from Sydney Harbour after the Japanese midget submarine attack of 31 May 1942 and worked in the Pacific theatre. He then worked for the Commonwealth in Korea. He was buried at sea from HMAS Sydney (Fast Troop Transport) in 1972.
Unofficial medal made from a silver Mexican dollar and surmounted by a King's crown and scroll. The obverse of the dollar shows an eagle surrounded by a wreath and the words 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA'. The
Unofficial medal made from a silver Mexican dollar and surmounted by a King's crown and scroll. The obverse of the dollar shows an eagle surrounded by a wreath and the words 'REPUBLICA MEXICANA'. The
Nickle plated tube-bodied whistle with integral suspension loop and pair of opposing rectangular windows, fitted with a lead fipple. The words 'The ACME CITY WHISTLE England' are impressed into the up
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
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
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
Medal 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
