Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Portrait of a naval officer
Portrait of a naval officer

Portrait of a naval officer

Photographer (Australian, 1877 - 1951)
Date1890s
Object number00002165
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Bruce Stannard
DescriptionThis gentleman is a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve as evidenced by his rank lace and the absence of tassels hanging down from his epaulettes. He is dressed in a frock coat and the addition of buttons below his distinctive RNR 'waved' rank lace would suggest that the portrait was taken in the latter half of the 19th century. The tie worn around his neck is called a 'stock' and these were common-place around that time.HistoryFrom 1859 to 1911 the naval defence of Australia was undertaken by the men and ships of Britain's Royal Navy. With Federation in 1901 the naval ships from the colonies and the Royal Navy ships of the Australia Station were called the Commonwealth Naval Forces. A ship building program for a truly Australian naval fleet was soon instigated and the first fleet of the newly named Royal Australian Navy entered Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1911. The Royal Australian Navy modelled itself along the lines of the Royal Navy in discipline, valour, organisation and uniform.SignificanceThis photograph comes from the Hall collection and shows the range of work undertaken by the Hall photographic studio; it also captures clearly the uniform of a Royal Navy officer serving in Australian waters.