James Conder's discharge certificate from ELLORA
Subject or historical figure
James Bryance Conder
(1872 - 1954)
Date29 March 1890
Object number00005665
NameCertificate
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 142 x 210 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Murphy
DescriptionThis discharge certificate was issued to James Conder. It states that he was engaged by the ship ELLORA in Melbourne from 16 November 1889 and discharged in London on 29 March 1890. The certificate was stamped 'V G' (Very good) for character of ability and for character of conduct.HistoryJames (Jim) Bryance Conder was one of thousands of Australian sailors who helped to shape Australia's naval history. His naval career, interspersed with periods ashore, illustrates all stages in the transition from British control of Australia's naval defence to full local responsibility with the formation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It also shows what a strong imprint the Royal Navy had on the RAN.
Conder joined the Royal Navy in Australia in 1891 aged 19 having sailed in the merchant ships ELLORA and AVENGER over the previous two years. He served on HMS ORLANDO, HMVS CERBERUS, HMVS NELSON, gunboat HMVS ALBERT, HMS KATOOMBA, HM Ships CHALLENGER and PSYCHE.SignificanceThis certificate relates to James Bryance Conder, whose naval career spanned four different navies in the service of Australia between 1891 and 1937.
