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Image Not Available for Kapal Haji Malaya, MS ANKING and ANSHUN of London built in 1950
Kapal Haji Malaya, MS ANKING and ANSHUN of London built in 1950
Image Not Available for Kapal Haji Malaya, MS ANKING and ANSHUN of London built in 1950

Kapal Haji Malaya, MS ANKING and ANSHUN of London built in 1950

Date1953-1965
Object numberANMS1116[046]
NamePostcard
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 90 x 139 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Helen Clift
HistoryBoth ships were build for the China Navigation Company’s immigrant trade between China and Singapore. In 1953 they were transferred to the pilgrim, or the Hajj, service operating between Malaysia and Jeddah for four months of the year. In 1965 the ANKING was placed on the Hong Kong to Keelung service until it was sold together ANSHUN in 1970.SignificanceThese objects are significant because they relate to a naval reservist who served in a little known and relatively unheralded unit of the Royal Australian Navy in WWI.

These objects are a chronicle and a material record of the overseas service -on Gallipoli and in the Middle East- of a Petty Officer in the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (RANBT) during WWI. Very little material evidence associated with the RANBT has survived and most of the unit's history is known only in relatively small circles, possibly because the 1st RANBT was not at Anzac Cove!