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Fairmile Association annual lunch menu

Date17 August 2009

Object number00026797

NameSouvenir menu

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsOverall (Closed): 209 x 147 mm
Overall (Open): 209 x 296 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis menu is a souvenir from the Fairmile Association annual lunch held at Parliament House in Sydney on 17 August, 2009. The Fairmile Association was formed at the inaugural meeting on 27 July 1990 and refers to Australian crew that served on the Fairmile class of motor launches for the RAN during World War II. HistoryThe vessels known as the Fairmiles were an English designed small, fast motor launch which could be built from prefabricated parts and were used during World War II by many of the allied nations. They were the idea of the English eccentric Albert Noel Campbell Macklin (later Sir Albert Macklin), a solution stemming in part from problems in quickly producing sea craft during wartime operations, experienced only a few years earlier in World War I. With war looming in 1939, Macklin registered the Fairmile Marine Company and began to manufacture the first class of Fairmiles. They were originally intended for use as coastal anti-submarine and convoy duties. When produced for the Royal Australian Navy they were well armed and equipped with depth charges as well as the anti-submarine detection equipment and were also used in supporting advancing troops, landing and recovering commando units, rescuing civilians from enemy occupied territory and downed airman from the sea, invasion escort, hydrographic surveys prior to landings, bombarding enemy strongholds and seeking and destroying enemy camps. At approximately 112 feet in length with a shallow draft they were able to attack the enemy in areas where the larger ships were unable to go. In 1940 approximately 2000 of the RAN Naval Reserve Force were serving in foreign navies such as the Royal Navy. A number of them served with the Royal Navy Coastal Forces in the UK and the Mediterranean, later returning to form the nucleus of the RAN Fairmile crews after the War Cabinet approved the construction of Fairmiles in January 1942. During World War II, 33 Fairmile motor launches were built in Australia and took part in numerous operations ranging as far as Timor. In Britain Fairmiles were used in a successful and major raid on the German occupied dock at St Nazaire, France. Following the end of the war the Fairmiles were decommissioned and sold off, and the crew discharged. With small crews of twenty or less, many of these men lost touch in the post war period with the return to civilian life. Four or five of the crew of ML 816 had kept some contact during the intervening years and in 1990 advertised in two RSL journals for any 'Fairmilers' who may be interested in forming an association. With an overwhelming response across the country an inaugural meeting was held on 27 July 1990 at which the Fairmile Association was officially formed. By 2002 the association had over 200 members, published a regular newsletter, marched as a unit in the Anzac day Parade in Sydney and Adelaide and held regular reunions. This menu is a souvenir from the Fairmile Association annual lunch held at Parliament House in Sydney in August 2009 and hosted by The Hon Charlie Lynn MLC, a member of the NSW Legislative Council since 1995, member of the Liberal Party of Australia and ex-Army officer. The guest speaker was Brigadier RTD Bill Rolfe, an ex-career officer in the Australian Army and later held various government positions including Director General of the Defence Force Legal Services, Principal Member of the Veteran's Review Board and Commissioner of Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.SignificanceThe Fairmile motor launches were a revolutionary prefabricated vessel that could be quickly manufactured during wartime without impinging on the production of other wartime supplies such as armaments. These small 112 foot vessels had the ability to provide anti submarine and convoy duties amongst many other duties, as well as engage with enemy vessels in locations the larger ships were unable to accessl. This is a souvenir menu from their annual luncheon and is indicative of the strong role of ceremony in naval life.