Skip to main content
Advanced Search
With every good wish for Christmas and the coming year, from Geoffrey A.G. Haggard - HMS IMPLACABLE
With every good wish for Christmas and the coming year, from Geoffrey A.G. Haggard - HMS IMPLACABLE

With every good wish for Christmas and the coming year, from Geoffrey A.G. Haggard - HMS IMPLACABLE

Maker
Date11 December 1905
Object number00015825
NameCard
MediumCardboard, ink
DimensionsOverall: 105 x 90 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Jennifer Smyth
DescriptionChristmas card of the HMS IMPLACABLE from Geoffrey Haggard to his mother, Cecily, dated 11 December 1905. HistoryDecember 11th 1905 At Sea. My very dearest Mother, I can only raise 3 of these Xmas cards, & wish I could get some more to send over to grannies & Uncle Percy & Aunt Ella but no go I am afraid. Will you get Dad something he wants from me & also something you want for yourself. Also please get Lance & Phyll each something decent. Do you think you can manage this, you would please me very much if you will get something decent you want for yourself. Don't say "your Xmas wishes are enough" or something like that. I am sending you the hanki [?]. If you dont want them perhaps Dad or Phyll would dearest Mother. I would like to see you to all of course especially you & Dad. Well, a very happy Xmas dearest Ma. I hope you are very well now, Your loving son. Geoff. Launched in February 1914, the AE2 was involved in naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign during the First World War. In April 1915, the AE2 became the first Allied vessel to penetrate the straits. After 'running amok' for several days, the AE2 was torpedoed. All hands survived and were held as POWs by the Turkish. Geoffrey Arthur Gordon Haggard was born in London on 4th May, 1888. He was transferred from the Royal Navy to the RAN in 1913 with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded 'Submarine Pay' from this date. He was based at the PENGUIN from this date before being posted to the AE2. Haggard was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery during the action and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1918 and discharged in 1919. In 1928 he was promoted to Commander on the Emergency List. Haggard was said to have planned to re-enlist when the Second World War broke out in 1939, but was killed in an accident before he could assume his post.SignificanceThe story of the AE2 and her infiltration of the Dardanelles in World War I is a highly significant Allied military and Australian naval episode. Although the event did not ultimately alter the course of the war it did demonstrate to Britain that Turkish waters could be breached. Subsequent submarine activity there by E11 and E14 severely hampered Turkish efforts to reinforce and supply their troops engaged at Gallipoli by forcing them to take the more arduous overland route.