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Souvenir of Crossing the Line ceremony on board HMAS AUSTRALIA, flying the standard of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, 26th February 1935
Souvenir of Crossing the Line ceremony on board HMAS AUSTRALIA, flying the standard of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, 26th February 1935

Souvenir of Crossing the Line ceremony on board HMAS AUSTRALIA, flying the standard of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, 26th February 1935

Date1935
Object numberANMS1445[069]
NameBooklet
MediumInk in paper
DimensionsOverall: 208 × 135 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook
DescriptionWilliam Frank Cook was appointed cadet midshipman for HMAS AUSTRALIA on 1 January 1934, and was on the ship when it crossed the equator on 26 February 1935, his first crossing. HMAS AUSTRALIA was returning the Duke Gloucester, who was representing his father King George V, to Plymouth after a royal tour of Australia.HistoryThe booklet was owned by William Cook, who served aboard HMAS Australia (II) as a Midshipman and was present during the voyage that embarked the Duke of Gloucester. Cook had a distinguished naval career, and served aboard notable Australian warships during the Second World War, including HMAS Perth (I), HMAS Voyager (I) and HMAS Nizam. He was mentioned in despatches for his service aboard Voyager during the Greek campaign in 1941. Awarded command of Nizam at the age of 28, Cook became the youngest Australian to command a destroyer during the conflict. He was later present at Tokyo Bay (while in command of Nizam) during the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945. He later served as First Lieutenant of HMAS Wyatt Earp, the first Australian vessel to conduct Antarctic research in the immediate post-war period.SignificanceThis booklet 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 booklet'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. The booklet itself is a relatively rare item, as most Crossing the Line ceremonies are commemorated with single-page certificates.