United Service Club dinner for the Special Service Squadron

Date1924

Object numberANMS0516[001]

NameMenu

DimensionsOverall (measured closed): 206 x 130 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThe United Service Club in Sydney hosted a dinner for officers from the British Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron during their visit to Australia on their world cruise in 1923-24. This menu was collected by the director of music for the event, Signor Vittorio Benvenuti.HistoryThis menu comes from a dinner for officers of His Majesty's First Light Cruiser Squadron which visited Australia in 1924. The dinner was held by the United Service Club at the Hotel Cecil, Sydney on 15 April 1924. During 1923-1924, the British Special Service Squadron undertook the Empire Cruise, a world tour that stopped at many countries who fought and held allegiance with Britain in World War I. The tour started on 27 November 1923 and lasted until 28 September 1924. The public relations exercise was an attempt to express Britain's world sea power, particularly relevant in the aftermath of World War I. The fleet consisted of H M Ships HOOD, REPULSE, the light cruisers DELHI, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS, DANAE and DUNEDIN with nine other supporting vessels. Various dinners, programs, marches, social and sporting events were held in each Australian port the Squadron visited, and many souvenirs were produced ranging from badges and booklets to dinner menus and programs. Vittorio Benvenuti was the Director of music at this event which included toasts to the King and Guests, singing God Save the King and a menu of hors d'oeuvres, soup, fish, entree, roast, vegetables, desserts, fruit, coffee and liqueurs. SignificanceThis menu is one of many souvenirs from the visit of the Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron - a great naval and social event in 1924 for Australians.