A Blyth was born in 18312. As a man he stood 5' 8" tall, had dark eyes and complexion. He resided at 290 Wellington Street, Collingurra, Victoria. His occupation was a Seaman and he was employed as working on shore. He enlisted on 29/3/1871 and resigned from the service in 1872.
Records are extremely rare in the case of Colonial Navies, in particular the records of the men who served. Before Federation in 1901 five of the six separate colonies maintained their own naval forces for defence. The colonial navies were supported by the ships of the Royal Navy's Australian Station which was established in 1859. The separate colonies maintained control over their respective navies until 1 March 1901, when the Commonwealth Naval Forces was created.
Victorian Naval Forces
The Colony of Victoria commenced construction of its first armed vessel in 1853,[7] Victoria which was launched on 30 June 1855 and arrived in Victoria on 31 May 1856. Victoria carried out a large variety of tasks during its life, including taking part in the New Zealand Wars, assisting in the search for Burke and Wills, delivering the first trout eggs to Tasmania, as well as numerous surveying and rescue tasks.
In 1859 the first Naval Brigade was formed. The Brigade was re-organised in 1863 as a half-militia, re-formed in 1871 as the Victorian Naval Reserve as a full militia and re-formed again in 1885 as the Victorian Naval Brigade.
The Victorian Naval Forces comprised the permanent force known as the Victorian Navy, and a 300-strong Victorian Naval Brigade consisting of the Williamstown Division and the Sandridge (Port Melbourne) Division. Combined the Victorian Navy and the Victorian Naval Brigade were known as the Victorian Naval Forces. Following the success of Victoria, the Victorian colonial government ordered an ironclad ship, HMVS Cerberus and was gifted the composite steam-sail warship, Nelson.
In 1884 several more warships were purchased by Victoria, these included the first-class torpedo boat Childers and second-class torpedo boats Lonsdale, and Nepean and the third-class gunboats Victoria and Albert. In 1886 the turnabout torpedo boat Gordon was acquired. In 1892, the first-class torpedo boat, Countess of Hopetoun arrived in Victoria.
To supplement the ships of the permanent force a number of government vessels were modified so as to serve as gunboats or torpedo boats. The hopper barges Batman and Fawkner were modified so as to mount a six-inch breech-loading gun at the bow of each ship. Two machine guns were also fitted. Strengthening of the bow, the fitting of a magazine, shell room, crew quarters and some armour protection for the crew added two more gunboats to the fleet. A compressor fitted to Fawkner meant that the torpedo boats could be serviced at sea. The tug boat Gannet and steamer Lady Loch were likewise modified.
The Harbour Trust boats Commissioner and Customs No. 1 had two sets of torpedo dropping gear fitted to each boat thereby adding two more torpedo boats to the fleet. In 1885 the government steamers Lion and Spray were fitted with six-pounder Armstrong guns. Spray was later fitted with two sets of torpedo dropping gear.
Supporting the Victorian Naval Forces were the fortifications located at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay and other sites around the bay. In the years leading up to Federation the Victorian Naval Forces were considered the most powerful of all the colonial naval forces.
Records are extremely rare in the case of Colonial Navies, in particular the records of the men who served. Before Federation in 1901 five of the six separate colonies maintained their own naval forces for defence. The colonial navies were supported by the ships of the Royal Navy's Australian Station which was established in 1859. The separate colonies maintained control over their respective navies until 1 March 1901, when the Commonwealth Naval Forces was created.
Victorian Naval Forces
The Colony of Victoria commenced construction of its first armed vessel in 1853,[7] Victoria which was launched on 30 June 1855 and arrived in Victoria on 31 May 1856. Victoria carried out a large variety of tasks during its life, including taking part in the New Zealand Wars, assisting in the search for Burke and Wills, delivering the first trout eggs to Tasmania, as well as numerous surveying and rescue tasks.
In 1859 the first Naval Brigade was formed. The Brigade was re-organised in 1863 as a half-militia, re-formed in 1871 as the Victorian Naval Reserve as a full militia and re-formed again in 1885 as the Victorian Naval Brigade.
The Victorian Naval Forces comprised the permanent force known as the Victorian Navy, and a 300-strong Victorian Naval Brigade consisting of the Williamstown Division and the Sandridge (Port Melbourne) Division. Combined the Victorian Navy and the Victorian Naval Brigade were known as the Victorian Naval Forces. Following the success of Victoria, the Victorian colonial government ordered an ironclad ship, HMVS Cerberus and was gifted the composite steam-sail warship, Nelson.
In 1884 several more warships were purchased by Victoria, these included the first-class torpedo boat Childers and second-class torpedo boats Lonsdale, and Nepean and the third-class gunboats Victoria and Albert. In 1886 the turnabout torpedo boat Gordon was acquired. In 1892, the first-class torpedo boat, Countess of Hopetoun arrived in Victoria.
To supplement the ships of the permanent force a number of government vessels were modified so as to serve as gunboats or torpedo boats. The hopper barges Batman and Fawkner were modified so as to mount a six-inch breech-loading gun at the bow of each ship. Two machine guns were also fitted. Strengthening of the bow, the fitting of a magazine, shell room, crew quarters and some armour protection for the crew added two more gunboats to the fleet. A compressor fitted to Fawkner meant that the torpedo boats could be serviced at sea. The tug boat Gannet and steamer Lady Loch were likewise modified.
The Harbour Trust boats Commissioner and Customs No. 1 had two sets of torpedo dropping gear fitted to each boat thereby adding two more torpedo boats to the fleet. In 1885 the government steamers Lion and Spray were fitted with six-pounder Armstrong guns. Spray was later fitted with two sets of torpedo dropping gear.
Supporting the Victorian Naval Forces were the fortifications located at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay and other sites around the bay. In the years leading up to Federation the Victorian Naval Forces were considered the most powerful of all the colonial naval forces.
Wartime labourers Australia
During World War II, Australia faced a significant labor shortage due to the need for a large workforce to support military operations and industry. The Australian Army established Employment Companies to ensure a dedicated workforce for essential laboring tasks. These companies were composed of soldiers and sometimes included 'aliens', or 'non-British' citizens, to meet the demands of the war effort. The National Archives of Australia holds extensive records about Australia's defense and war efforts, including service records of Australians who served in the Second World War. These records can help learn more about the laborers who contributed to the war effort and their contributions to Australia's defense
A Walter was born in 1847 and was working as a Stevedore at the time he enlisted in April 1877. He was described at that time as 5'7" tall, with dark eyes and a dark complexion. He was living at 14 Buckhurst Street, Emerald Hill Victoria. He resigned in 1884.
After enlistment Aaron was taken on strength at Thursday Island to undertake his training with 11 Australian Infantry Brigade. On 10/10/1943 he embarked from Thursday Island aboard "Belinda" arriving at Merauke Papua on 17/10/1943. At the beginning of 1944 he was transferred to Horn Island. He contracted Malaria in March 1944 and was evacuated to No 6 Camp Hospital on Thursday Island. He was given Medical clearance in October 1944 and in November was detached to serve with the Royal Australian Navy. In January 1945 he was once again back in Papua at Merauke. For the next few months he was working between Merauke and Thursday Island, and in May 1945 was promoted to Lance Corporal. During WWII Aaron served a total of 1350 days, 1179 in Australia and 171 days in Merauke New Guinea. He had previously served with the Citizens Military Forces taking his total service from 2/10/1942 to 12/6/1946. Aaron completed his service as a Lance Sergeant. Eric Aron Anua, Son of Aaron Anua applied for his fathers medals in February 1980. The Protector of Islanders applied on behalf of Sgt Anua in 1952.
Aaron is the twin Brother to Shane. Both Served in the Royal Australian Navy. Due to the privacy rules in Australia there is no information available for his service as yet. The Forever Warriors book by Jan James listed Aaron and Shane as serving.