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Image Not Available for Commemorative badge for the 'Cruise of the Special Service Squadron' in 1924
Commemorative badge for the 'Cruise of the Special Service Squadron' in 1924
Image Not Available for Commemorative badge for the 'Cruise of the Special Service Squadron' in 1924

Commemorative badge for the 'Cruise of the Special Service Squadron' in 1924

Date1924
Object number00034453
NameBadge
MediumBrass
DimensionsOverall: 38 x 37 mm
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA badge commerating the visit of the British Naval Squadron to Australia in 1924. The badge features an image of a sailor with an arm outstretched, pointing to the distance, and standing alongside a canon with a bulldog at his feet.HistoryThe 'Cruise of the Special Service Squadron' or the 'Empire Cruise' left Portsmouth in November 1923. The squadron comprised of the battle cruisers HOOD and REPULSE. They were accompanied by the 1st Light cruiser Squadron of DELHI, DANAE, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS and DUNEDIN. The cruise visited ports in Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, the USA, Canada and South America. At each port, the ships were open for public inspection and served as both a goodwill tour and an ongoing training exercise. Historian Ralph Harrington described the purpose of the 38,000 mile, ten-month ‘Empire Cruise’ as ‘part public relations exercise for Great Britain and the Royal Navy, and part training programme for the ships and crews involved’. Harrington added that ‘most importantly it was to serve as a tangible, highly visible expression of British commitment to the Empire, and simultaneously as a powerful message about the degree of Dominion naval effort the empire required’ (Harrington, Ralph, 'The Mighty Hood': Navy, Empire, War at Sea and the British National Imagination, 1920-60’, Journal of Contemporary History, Vol. 38, no. 2, April 2003, 171-185). SignificanceFrom 27 November 1923 to 28 September 1924, the British Royal Navy’s Special Service Squadron cruised around the world visiting and thanking those countries and allies who had offered their support during World War I. It was an opportunity to show naval strength and renew alliances.