This year marks the 80th anniversary of the dedication of the HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast at Bradleys Head, Mosman. The ceremony took place on 24 November 1934, attended by thousands who watched from land and sea.
Mayor of Mosman, Alderman ‘Jack’ Carroll — on the suggestion of a local resident, Norman Ellison2 — was able to acquire the mast on behalf of Mosman Council.
The mast1 had been purchased with the intention of using it as a Memorial commemorating HMAS Sydney’s victory over the German raider SMS Emden at the Cocos Islands on 9 November 1914.
Letter to Carroll, mentioning Ellison’s suggestion, from R. D. Hadfield, State Secretary of the Returned Sailors & Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, 8 March 1934
Sydney’s mast was subsequently shipped from Garden Island and installed at Bradleys Head by a huge floating crane — aptly named Titan — under direction from Mosman Council’s Chief Engineer.
Installing the mast at Bradley’s Head
Preparations for the dedication ceremony were thorough and important details such as the catering and liquid refreshment were not neglected.
Minutes of “SYDNEY” Mast Dedication Committee held on Sunday, 10.30 a.m., November 4, 1934 in the Mosman Town Hall.
The Daily (‘circulating in Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay’) reported the day’s events.
The weather on the day was ‘all that could be desired.’ Representatives of the 3 branches of military service, local school children, the Red Cross, girl scouts, boy guides and others witnessed a ceremony
which will remain in the memory of those that attended for a lifetime.
The Daily, Tuesday 27 November 1934
Alderman Carroll finished a ‘short but noble’ speech. The Duke of Gloucester’s ‘gracious[ly] deviated’ ship slowed as it passed the memorial and mustered crowd. The Last Post and Reveille sounded. Finally the “breaking of the flag” took place to the sounds of the National Anthem.
Carroll’s words, quoted directly, stated —
This mast of the ex-HMAS “Sydney” under the shadow of which we now stand, is dedicated with no militant spirit; with no idea of perpetuating the alleged glories of war, and, least of all, inculcating any sentiment of national boastfulness. Rather it is a dedication in a spirit of peace and of respect and gratitude to the great and many sacrifices of that silent but efficient service… My fervent wish is that the mast will become a treasured memorial for our people and one from which future generations may absorb inspiration and guidance to fulfill their destiny …
Speeches followed including one by Capt. Pope. Pope was on Sydney at the time of the engagement with Emden. He acknowledged and expressed his appreciation of Mosman Council “in causing the mast of our dear old ship to be erected here.” He also went on to say that
it is fitting that the name of “Sydney” will be perpetuated in a very fine Cruiser which is now being built in England for the Australian Navy…
Finally, the president of the Royal Australian Historical Society gave a speech, high minded and patriotic. It stressed the importance of collecting, preserving and publishing ‘items of Australian interest.’ For the ‘progress of civilisation and for the cause of freedom and justice.’
Samuel J Hood Studio, 1934 (ANMM Collection 00024164)
It seems true that through her preserved and re-examine records, Sydney’s mast at Bradleys Head becomes not just a 80 year-old memorial to a World War 100 years ago. It serves as a beacon — echoing the experiences, memories, hopes, and words of a generation. We can share their legacy in ways they could only have imagined.
Follow the Sydney-Emden… story
After Cocos: Sydney-Emden memorial unveiled!
After Cocos: HMAS Sydney’s progress
After Cocos: Holsworthy Concentration Camp
Sydney v Emden, a century later
HMAS Sydney’s mast dedication, 80 years ago today
Sydney’s mast not destined for ‘Sow and Pigs’
Resources
- Search Mosman Library Local Studies digital collection for “HMAS Sydney”
- Doing our bit — H.M.A.S. “SYDNEY” Memorial Mast
- Bradleys Head Forts and HMAS Sydney 1 Mast and Associated Memorials – NSW Government, Culture and Heritage
Footnotes
1 The mast at Bradleys Head was_Sydney_’s 2nd, upgraded mast, not the original from the time of the Emden sinking.
2 See also transcript of an oral history with Norman’s son, Rodney Ellison — The mast of the HMAS Sydney – I always refer to as dad’s mast which is not quite accurate but I believe he was the person who first suggested that it would be an ideal spot for that to be there as a memorial to that famous ship. Norman Ellison served in the artillery in WWI.