The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Mr Hugh Randall Syme was the general manager of the Melbourne Age newspaper in 1957. During the Second World War he joined the Royal Navy volunteering for the mine disposal unit in the United Kingdom. He carried out disposal of parachute mines. The British Army dealt with bombs, the Royal Navy with mines. One in ten mines would not explode. He describes the power of the mines: D type 1000 kg, C type 2000 kg;18 sec fuse, triggered by impact. Lieutenant Syme personally rendered safe 53 German mines. He describes methods used, things to avoid and how to diffuse a mine. He recounts some anecdotes- shipping, humorous episodes. He mentions hazards set in mines. Discusses minesweepers. Mr Syme describes how he was awarded the George Medal, and defines the difference between the George Medal and the Victoria Cross. He worked with Naval Intelligence and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He mentions the de-gaussing of ships. Mr Syme concludes that luck and "horse sense" are very important. END OF INTERVIEW.
Australia Service Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbo
British MK II steel helmet. The helmet is stamped into shape from sheet metal and has a rolled edge of sheet metal around the brim to cover the sharp edges. Inside the helmet, the liner is attached to
British War Medal 1939-45. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Mel
The 2 uF condenser is a rectangular shaped capacitor which is made from aluminium. It has two prongs extending out from one end to allow wires to be wound onto them so it can create a charge. This 2
The upper band of each gaiter is made from a stiff band of brown leather. This is secured to the wearer's leg by two metal buckles and straps, one set below the other on the outside of the gaiter. The
Customised Flotation Vest. The front of the waist coat has been cut extra long with the middle being folded back in on itself, creating a central loop to fit the internal rubber inflatable bladder. Th
Customised Tool Belt. The leather belt, originally a cartridge belt, has had 24 individual metal holders riveted to the sides and back. 10 of the holders have become detached either deliberately or th
Defence Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme
Pair of Australian Second World War Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve rank epaulettes. The epaulettes have a black wool upper and a white cotton underside. The rank shown on the epaulettes in t
Extraction tool possibly used in deactivating mines and bombs. The extraction tool consists of a brass cylinder which is attached to a wider piece of brass tubing at the front end. Fitted around the p
Respirator, anti-gas, MK V Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) crewman variant. This variant was also favoured by air crews in Bomber Command. The rubber facemask is moulded black rubber which has been st
George Cross (Geo VI). Engraved reverse with recipient's details. Hugh Randall Syme was born on 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme's father, John Herbert, was a journalist, and his son had set
George Medal and bar (Geo VI). Medal engraved around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at
British mine part. The two piece brass unit has an externally and internally threaded collar screwed onto the lower main body. The body is threaded approximately half way up its length. The threaded e
A German magnetic sea mine type M3 firing unit. The unit is a cylindrical main body with a central shaft extending out of either end. "1B - 171" over a circle with the number "76" within have been pa
German mine mechanical Impact fuze Vz Z 34 A (clockwork, self destructing) as used in C and D type parachute mines (Luftmine). This fuze is designed to activate 22 seconds after impact should the mine
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part thought to be taken from a German mine. This piece is in a shape similar to a syringe. The lower end has a small 'needle' attached to a cylindrical barrel body and the upper end has a plu
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece appears to be either a fuze or a timing mechanism. The body of this piece is cylindrical. The bottom end has a small brass fan. The top end of the pie
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is cylindrical with five hollow arms extending from the top. Small brass sockets are located within the arms. Written in raised detail between the arm
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is likely to have been a cover for another piece of the mine. It is shaped like a lid to a saucepan and has a small handle on top. There are 12 holes
Unknown part taken from a German mine. This piece is cylindrical with a domed top. Near the base of the dome has been etched the numbers '25425-15'. The outside of the object has a grooved middle, sim
Hessian Blackout Curtain. The top of the hessian has been folded over and seamed to strengthen the top of the curtain. Sewn to the reverse side of the curtain below the top edge is a length of cotton
Hydrostatic clock taken from a German Type C acoustic parachute mine. A cast aluminium cover with internal threads covers a trigger mechanism for the device. Inside the device a copper core is connect
Custom made cylindrical canvas kit bag. The bag is made from heavy duty canvas with a one piece upper and cylindrical base. The stitching has been reinforced with leather strips. 10 brass eyelets have
Type 'D' German magnetic parachute mine gyroscopic gimbal mount. The external part of the mount is made from aluminium and has several attachment points for fitting to the Type 'D' mine's outer casing
Officer's navy blue wool double breasted greatcoat, lined throughout with black polished cotton twill. The coat has a stand and fall collar, two rows of six gilded brass Royal Navy officer's buttons (
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
Officers RAN dark blue peaked service dress cap. The cap's crown is of dark blue Oxford wool cloth and has a black mohair hatband. Sewn to the front of the hatband is the King's crown embroidered in g
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. Unnamed as issued. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme’s fath
Weight belt. The belt is made from 25 mm cotton webbing with an aluminium buckle at one end. 8 circular lead weights are threaded onto the belt. Each weight is made up from two circular pieces, with t
Pair of white cloth spats. Each spat is made from three separate panels of thickly woven linen sewn together and have been lined with three matching panels of a tightly woven white linen. Sewn on the
The sign has been cut out from a sheet of aluminium. At the top of the sign, the centre area has been cut out and the two uncut 'arms' have been folded over, allowing the sign to be hung from a bar or
George Cross (Geo VI). Engraved reverse with recipient's details. Hugh Randall Syme was born on 28 February 1903 at Kew, Melbourne. Syme's father, John Herbert, was a journalist, and his son had set
George Medal and bar (Geo VI). Medal engraved around edge with recipient's details. Medals of Lieutenant Hugh Randall Syme, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR), born 28 February 1903 at
A German magnetic sea mine type M3 firing unit. The unit is a cylindrical main body with a central shaft extending out of either end. "1B - 171" over a circle with the number "76" within have been pa
German mine mechanical Impact fuze Vz Z 34 A (clockwork, self destructing) as used in C and D type parachute mines (Luftmine). This fuze is designed to activate 22 seconds after impact should the mine
Type 'D' German magnetic parachute mine gyroscopic gimbal mount. The external part of the mount is made from aluminium and has several attachment points for fitting to the Type 'D' mine's outer casing
SIDE A: Tony Gaze relates: history of the development of the Supermarine Spitfire aircraft; pilot training in the Royal Air Force (RAF); completed first operational tour and sent as a Flight Commander