Wall
Navy
1901–1984
HMAS Rushcutter
1940 1968
Plaque 1
The Beginning 1901–1920 [insignia]
Prior to 1901 the Naval Forces of New South Wales were based at Fort Macquarie on Bennelong Point. With Federation pending the Colonial Government decided to relocate those forces and in February 1901 this site was selected. At that time part of the major component of the force, the NSW Naval Brigade, was serving with the China Field Force based in Peking during the Boxer Uprising.
On 1 March 1901 NSW transferred its naval forces to the Federal Government, as components of the new Commonwealth Naval Forces (CNF).
The drill hall and the attached office building were moved to this site from Fort Macquarie and the boatshed and cottage were newly constructed. On 30th September 1901 training of the Naval Brigade, including men recently returned from China, was resumed as a component of the Commonwealth Naval Militia.
1911 brought two important events — the renaming of the CNF as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the introduction of compulsory peacetime training for boys and young adults here as members of the RAN Reserve (RANR). With effect from 4th August 1914 the RANR became the RAN Brigade which provided members for the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force (ANMEF) to capture German installations at Rabaul in what was then German New Guinea and for the 1st RAN Bridging Train which served at Gallipoli with distinction.
In 1920 compulsory training was suspended, the RAN Brigade title discarded and the RANR title re-adopted.
Plaque 2
Between the Wars 1921–1939 [insignia]
In 1921 compulsory training was resumed. The RAN Volunteer Reserve (RANVR) was formed to distinguish the volunteer officers and men from the RANR as the second component of the Citizen Naval Forces. In addition to training the site also housed the Sydney District Naval Office. 1929 saw the suspension of compulsory training but the Naval Reserve Depot continued largely for volunteers. A Naval Recruiting Office for the RAN was established.
The possibility of war in Europe caused Australia to build up the sea-going forces and naval training facilities. In 1937 this site was chosen for the building of a substantial anti-submarine school. Work began in 1938 and HMA Anti-Submarine School became operational on 13 February 1939 in the NE corner of this site (since demolished). It was staffed by Royal Navy instructors. Initially priority was given to the training of specially selected officers and men of the RANVR living in Sydney. The training and contents of the School were highly classified and the building was guarded day and night.
Up until the outbreak of World War 2 on 3 September 1939 62 officers had qualified in Anti-Submarine tactics and equipment and 32 sailors had been trained to operate and maintain Anti-submarine detection equipment.
Plaque 3
World War 2 1940–1941 [insignia]
The early and rapid increase in the tempo of enemy submarine warfare in European waters caused the Royal Navy to ask Australia to provide monthly 20 sailors and as many officers as possible trained in anti-submarine equipment and tactics as well as to recruit seamen for service with the Royal Navy under the Yachtsmen’s Scheme. This request was met in addition to meeting initial RAN requirements.
On 1 August 1940 the Depot was commissioned as HMAS Rushcutter under command of the District Naval Officer (DNO). In addition to activities on site the command included a gunnery instructional centre at Woolloomooloo.
During 1940 staff at A/S School became increasingly involved in fitting out auxiliary escort ships and new construction Bathurst Class Corvettes with A/S equipment and training men to man it. In addition the School became responsible for organising equipment and training for the static seaward defences of Australian ports. In 1940 due to supply difficulties from UK planning began for the local production of A/S and Radar equipment. The A/S School building was extended to accommodate additional training gear and to provide further classrooms. In addition to team training for ships, including Free French and Dutch ships, 118 officers and 343 sailors were trained during the year. At the end of 1941 Japan entered the war.
Plaque 4
World War 2 1942–1943 [insignia]
1942 saw a large increase in A/S and Radar training. The limited availability of space resulted in the DNO and his staff moving off site and the Command being assumed by the Officer Commanding A/S School. Living accommodation was an urgent requirement and it was decided to build a barracks on the park north of this site. The cottage became an office for the pay staff. Sayonara boatyard (now demolished) on the south end of the site was commandeered to house the A/S and Radar local production teams.
The responsibility for training crews and administering the newly built coastal patrol boats (Fairmiles) and harbour defence motor launches (HDMLs) evolved upon the Fairmile School established on 1st June 1942 in the first building on the park site. As the east coast was the probable area of patrol 3 jetties were built for their use. The first Fairmile, ML 813, came into service at the end of the year.
On 18 November the first woman to carry out administrative duties at HMAS Rushcutter began serving as WRANS. As intended WRANS rendered invaluable service here and elsewhere for the rest of the war. Also at the end of 1942 the Radar School was established at South Head.
In April 1943 the ships company were able to eat and live in the new barracks.
During the year the training load increased particularly for teams from USN, Dutch and French ships. The ex-Dutch submarine, HMAS K9, became a valuable aid for sea training.
Plaque 5
World War 2 1944–1945 [insignia]
Throughout 1944 great demands were made on all A/S training equipment. Following a serious accident HMAS K9 was no longer available as a training target. Training of ship teams continued to be a major element. Boats and crews of the Naval Auxiliary Patrol (NAP) were brought into the Command allowing A/S crews to be released for service elsewhere. NAP men were trained to take their place.
Increased training of officers and sailors allowed people who were serving overseas for more than two years to be relieved. In November 1944 the Fairmile School closed and the administration of ships was transferred elsewhere. Towards the end of the year the arrival of the first ships of the British Pacific Fleet increased the team training load.
At the beginning of 1945 the need to cater for new trainees reduced but refresher training for experienced men increased. As the British Pacific Fleet reached full strength the A/S School obtained the services of RN Mobile A/S Training Units and, at long last, real submarine targets for trainees and ships teams. Responsibility for Radar matters was transferred elsewhere. With the end of hostilities the training commitment lessened and focused upon permanent naval personnel.
The main activity switched to providing the medical, clerical and pay facilities for the many men and women to be demobilized.
Plaque 6
Years of change 1946–1958 [insignia]
Demobilization continued as the primary function during 1946. In 1947 the Australian Navy Sailing Association, later to become RANSA, was founded in the boat-shed. The decision in that year to form a specialist Electrical Branch had a profound effect. The A/S School lost responsibility for equipment maintenance as did other schools. It was decided to create the Torpedo Anti Submarine (TAS) Branch. The Torpedo School and its Mining Section was transferred to this site to create the TAS School in 1948. Also transferred in at that time was the Diving School. RANR training resumed in 1950 and was strongly supported by men with war service.
1956 saw the transfer of the TAS School to new purpose-built premises at South Head in HMAS Watson. In the same year the Diving School was able to begin long awaited Clearance Diver (CD) training. The RAN Experimental Laboratory (RANEL) was established with civilian scientists and a Naval Superintendent in April 1956 and a fortnight later on 30th April 1956 HMAS Rushcutter paid off and the depot was administered from HMAS Watson. In that year the Diving School was able to form the first mobile CD team (CDT) and a Mine Countermeasures Development Unit (MCDU) to work with RANEL. The buildings on the park to the north were demolished in 1957 and the land reverted to Woollahra Council.
On 1st July 1957 HMAS Rushcutter re-commissioned.
Plaque 7
The ending 1959–1984 [insignia]
In 1959 it had been agreed that RANEL would undertake all RAN scientific work. This required expansion in staffing and grouping. At the same time the Diving School was expanding its training load and capabilities with new types of underwater breathing apparatus. 1960 saw the replacement of an antiquated Recompression Chamber (RCC) with a new 10-man RCC. A School of Underwater Medicine was established as an important and integral part of diver training and operation. In 1963 the posts of Commanding Officer and RANEL Superintendent were combined. By 1965 RANEL had a much greater scientific and engineering capacity for laboratory research and sea trials.
RANR training finished in 1966 when the Division moved to HMAS Watson. By this time Clearance Divers had become the foremost experts in Bomb and Mine Disposal in Australia. This was well demonstrated by the formation of CDT3 for service in South Vietnam on port security and explosive ordnance disposal duties. RANEL played a significant role in the development of CD capability. In 1968 the Diving School and related activities moved out to another Sydney base. HMAS Rushcutter paid off on 29th July 1968.
Except for a 4 year period when the RAN Trials and Assessing Unit became a lodger RANEL (by then RAN Research Laboratory (RANRL) and RANSA were the sole occupants of the site. RANRL moved out in 1984. In 1980 the site was transferred to the State as Crown Land. It became the Sir David Martin Reserve managed by the Woollahra Council.
Plaque 8
The return to community 1980 to present day
In 1979, the Commonwealth Government transferred the site to the State Government for public use. The land was dedicated as a Reserve for “public recreation” and “public maritime purpose” in 1987 under the administration of a community trust board called the Rushcutters Bay Maritime Reserve Trust. The Reserve’s name changed to Sir David Martin Reserve in 1991 in honour of Sir David Martin, the former NSW Governor and Rear-Admiral.
Council was granted control of the site in July 2001. The Reserve was used, in conjunction with Rushcutters Bay Park and Yarranabbe Park, as the Olympic Sailing Shore Base for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Olympic legacy items including the hardstand area, two cranes and marina are located adjacent to the Reserve. Within the Reserve legacy items include renovations to the Drill Hall, Drill Hall extension and Sail Loft.
Woollahra Council acknowledges the site’s rich history and manages the Reserve for the benefit of the community. The Drill Hall and associated buildings continues to be well used by community groups.
The HMAS Rushcutter Memorial was unveiled on 1 March 2009 by Councillor Peter Cavanagh & Vice Admiral R. H. Crane, AM, CSM, RAN, Chief of Navy
Plaque 9
The Rushcutter Naval Memorial
The creation of this memorial reflects the efforts of a committee known as 'The Rushcutter Group' which was formed in 2002 for that purpose. Funding and assistance from many veterans, veteran's associations and from Woollahra Municipal Council ensured completion. Members of the group represented organisations closely associated with this site. They were:
[Names and organisations]
The memorial was designed by Douglas Gilling and erected by Martin Guest Landscapes.
1 March 2009