Photographs and notebooks collected and used by Eric Bolton Beeham relating to his work as a merchant mariner during World War II
Subject or historical figure
Eric Bolton Beeham
(Australian, born 1917)
Date1940 - 1950
Object numberANMS0837
NameArchive series
MediumPaper, silver gelatin print
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Elaine Beeham
DescriptionThis collection of items were used and compiled by Eric Bolton Beeham during his career as a merchant mariner during World War II. The series consists of one HMS SPRINGDALE Navigating Officer's notebook; and nine black and white photographs depicting views of HMT STRATHNAVER, OTRANTO, RMS MALOJA, Beeham dressed in Sub-Lieutenant uniform on HMT STRATHNAVER, Beeham and four crew in uniform on board HMS SPRINGDALE, Beeham and three crew in uniform on board HMS ROYAL ULSTERMAN, Beeham and two crew members on board ST COMMILES, two uniformed WRANS servicewomen and a female officer in uniform. The items span the period 1940 - 1950.HistoryThe extensive career of Captain Eric Beeham spans the period from 1936 to 1982, during which there was a great deal of change in the Australian commercial and industrial shipping industries. Beeham first went to sea as a cadet with P&O working on RMS MALOJA and RMS STRATHNAVER in 1936. During World War II Beeham worked on troopships and minesweepers and commanded the patrol boat HMAS NEROUS amongst others. After the war he worked for a number of different shipping companies including Australian & Oriental Line, later becoming a pilot for the Maritime Services Board in NSW.