Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Singles

Lot 3136    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Singles

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,300

HMAS SYDNEY, Bartolomeo Colleoni Medal, 1940, in oxidised silver (58mm) by Amor (C.1940/2), obverse, HMAS Sydney advancing at full speed with the smoking and disabled Italian cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni, in background, reverse, a representation of the plaque presented by the City of Sydney to HMAS Sydney, edge inscribed, 'K.Rowe, Canteen Asst.', with pierced hole at top and bottom edge and fitted into a timber swivel frame with a tiered timber base with felt underneath. Some light shaving of edge when fitting into swivel mount, otherwise toned extremely fine.

Kenneth (Henry) Rowe, born on 8 July 1920 at Granville, NSW, was one of a number of Navy canteen staff who, although not enlisted, was required to sail on RAN ships. K.Rowe was serving as a Canteen Assistant on HMAS Sydney during its battle with the Bartolomeo Colleoni and on its return to Australia, fortunately for him, he left the ship at Perth, Western Australia before it set off on its fatal voyage where it disappeared on 20 November 1941 after a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser HSK Kormoran in the waters out from Western Australia, and it remained undiscovered until 2008 when it was found at a depth of 2,500 metres 290kms west south west of Carnarvon off the coast of Western Australia and 22kms from the sunken Kormoran.

A brief news report in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta) on Wednesday 12 February 1941, p1 stated, 'News of the arrival of H.M.A.S.Sydney from the Mediterranean brought cheer to Granville homes. Local men among the crew include Leading Cook J.W.Fisher, of William-street; Able Seaman Ernest Brennan, of Arthur-street, and Canteen-assistant Ken Rowe, of Glen-street.'

After leaving the Sydney, Kenneth Rowe travelled to the Northern Territory with his friend and while there, he enlisted on 7 January 1943 at Adelaide River, NT, for service in the AIF. He was already a member of the militia in NSW (N272626) and was therefore allocated a NSW volunteer number of NX160493. He discharged from the AIF on 6 June 1945 as a Driver ex AASC 7 Military District (Northern Territory).

Part of a news report in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta) on Wednesday 31 July 1940, p1 stated, 'A terse but vivid description of H.M.A.S. Sydney's baptism of fire in an engagement some time before she sank the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni is given by Mr. Ken Rowe, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Rowe, of Glen-street, Granville, in a letter to his parents. Mr. Rowe who is serving in the Sydney, wrote': "We have been in action. Other cruisers and us met three destroyers and sank one, and we picked up about forty survivors. It was very exciting while the shooting and chasing lasted, and to see a ship burn and sink at sea. It was terrible to see men wounded and dead in the water. Some people believe we have been sunk, but so far we have nor been hit. We have seen a few air-raids, and bombs dropped very close--too close to be safe."

Born at Granville and educated at William-street Public School, Mr. Rowe is 20 years of age, and has been in the Navy since last August. He is a canteen assistant, but in action acts as ammunition-carrier or medical help as required. Before joining the Navy he was a motor-mechanic.

His father served with the A.I.F. in the Great War. A member of the Mt. Beulalh O.E.S. Auxiliary, Mrs. Rowe is an active war worker. Interviewed yesterday, she dismissed talk of anxiety with the remark, "There are thousands in the same position. I've been through it before," she added. "If Ken wasn't in the Navy, he'd probably have joined the A.I.F. I'm sure he wouldn't have stopped at home. His father would go again if he could."