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Royal Cruise of HMAS AUSTRALIA , 4 Dec 1934 - 28 Mar 1935, Duke of Gloucester
Royal Cruise of HMAS AUSTRALIA , 4 Dec 1934 - 28 Mar 1935, Duke of Gloucester

Royal Cruise of HMAS AUSTRALIA , 4 Dec 1934 - 28 Mar 1935, Duke of Gloucester

Date1935
Object numberANMS1445[072]
NamePostcard
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 86 × 140 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook
DescriptionHMAS AUSTRALIA returned Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, to England after his Royal Tour representing George V at the Victorian centenary celebrations. William Frank Cook was serving as midshipman on the voyage which departed Sydney in December 1934 and arrived in Portsmouth in March 1935.HistoryFrom October to December 1934 Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester visited Australia on a royal tour as the representative of King George V at the centenary celebrations of Victoria. He also unveiled and dedicated Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and the Anzac Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park. He returned to England in December 1934 on board HMAS AUSTRALIA (II).SignificanceThis postcard dates to the immediate pre-Second World War period and compliments William Cook's chronicle (as related in his Midshipman's Journal) of HMAS Australia (II)'s voyage to England and the Mediterranean between January 1934 and July 1936. Of particular significance is the postcard's commemoration of the Duke of Gloucester's presence aboard HMAS Australia during this voyage. The Duke of Gloucester was on exchange duty from the Royal Navy during the voyage, and his presence aboard HMAS Australia is a relatively little-known aspect of the RAN's history during the interwar years.