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Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officer's uniform jacket worn by Marsden Hordern
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officer's uniform jacket worn by Marsden Hordern

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officer's uniform jacket worn by Marsden Hordern

Maker (1785-)
Date1956
Object number00046947
NameJacket
MediumWool, fabric, metal
DimensionsOverall: 778 x 643 x 48 mm, 1442.09 g
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Marsden Hordern
DescriptionThis uniform by the renowned English military tailoring firm of Gieves Ltd was made for Lieutenant Commander Marsden Hordern while serving with the Royal Navy in European waters in 1956.HistoryMarsden Carr Hordern was born in 1922. He joined the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in June 1942 and was appointed a Sub-Lieutenant. He served in the small patrol boats, Fairmiles and Harbour Defence vessels. In 1944 he was promoted to Lieutenant. After the war Marsden (known as Tony; from the rhyming slang Anthony Hordern = Tony Hordern; Anthony Horderns was a major Australian department store) continued to serve in the RANVR and in 1956 served with the Royal Navy in European waters. This uniform by the renowned military tailoring firm of Gieves Ltd was made for Lieutenant-Commander Hordern during this period in Britain. Lt Commander Hordern retired from the RANVR in March 1982. His wartime experiences are detailed in "A Merciful Journey - Recollections of a World War II patrol boat man" published by the Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2005. Marsden Hordern is now a noted naval historian, his two best known works being "King of the Australian Coast" and "Mariners Are Warned!". He was awarded the Victorian Premier's Literary Award in 1989 and the NSW Premier's Literary Award in 1998.SignificanceThe uniform is representative of the significant part played by the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in the history of Australian naval defence and co-operation with other navies.