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You are here: Home / Archives for Australian Navy / HMAS Nirimba

HMAS Nirimba

Occasional Paper 93: Boxing in the Navy

October 6, 2020

By John Smith

 John Smith, our senior researcher, joined the RAN College in 1946 and retired as a Commander having specialised in gunnery. He served in many RAN ships and had operational service in Korea, the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam. Post navy he had various managerial positions, the last being CEO of the Sydney Maritime Museum. He is a former Vice President and has been a volunteer since 2003.

Aeons ago, when I was serving in the Navy, junior officers and ordinary seamen were expected to be able to Box the compass. That is that they should be able to recite the compass points of the magnetic compass in clockwise order and this in the days when gyro compasses were practically universally installed in warships. Indeed the 1964 Seamanship Manual still contained the magnetic compass rose.

However, this article is about a different form of boxing, i.e. the often so called gentlemanly art of boxing in accordance with the Queensberry rules. For many years it was a popular public spectator sport. How many of you remember taking a tram from the city to that ramshackle building, the Rushcutters Bay Stadium in Sydney to watch a boxing match (when it was built it was the largest roofed in structure in the World and held 12000 people).

It is therefore to be expected that it should be popular in the navy. After all, it was easy to set up if space was available for the ring and suitable superstructure nearby from which the crew could watch and barrack. There was always plenty of rope to fence it off and it could be carried out either at sea or in harbour, onboard or ashore.

Parramatta ll

In the twentieth century it was considered to be an official Naval sport and the rules for matches were included in the book “The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sports Handbook”.

The earliest reference I can find to boxing in the Royal Navy is quoted in Michael Palin’s book “Erebus The Story at A ship” where on New Year’s day 1842, the crew of HMS Terror, then in the Antarctic came across to Erebus and danced on deck until five in the morning, after which there were one or two pugilistic matches in the forecastle, which peaceably ended.

In the Navy, boxing was a popular inter departmental and internship competition, and the first annual Royal Australian Navy Boxing championships were held in June 1920.

First Annual RAN Boxing Championships

In 1921, the firm WJ Sanders crafted the solid silver Colin Rodgers Cup for the annual Fleet boxing championship. It is now in the Naval Heritage Collection.

Daily Telegraph Boxing Tournament

Another interesting trophy which is on display in the RAN Heritage Centre, Garden Island, Sydney is the 2UW/Daily Telegraph Boxing Tournament Shield competed by the Navy, Army & Air Force and which was won by the Navy.

Daily Telegraph Boxing Tournament

The first RAN Fleet Championship in June 1920 may well have been a preparatory event for the Naval Boxing event held on 5 July 1920 to mark the visit of the Prince of Wales. It was open to the public.

In the Royal Navy in World War I, the Grand Fleet spent much of its time in Scapa Flow which was not exactly a tourist attraction or indeed, good run ashore. The following extract from Australia’s Argonauts by Peter Jones is an interesting, report of the newly formed RAN’s boxing prowess. “In dealing with this morale challenge Admiral Jellicoe and his successor Admiral Beatty were able to sustain generally good morale. They did so by an active sea training regime and a vigorous sporting program. The centerpiece of the latter was the annual boxing championship.

In 1917 it was held on 22-23 August onboard the battleship HMS Ajax at anchor in Scapa Flow. In the lead up to the event ships conducted preliminary contests in the different weight divisions to decide upon their ship’s champions. To the surprise of the Grand Fleet officers the Australian midshipmen figured prominently in the officers’ bouts. Thousands of Grand Fleet officers and sailors watched from any upper deck vantage point to view the boxing ring set up on the battleship’s deck. In the preliminary fights, Leigh Watkins, Hugh MacKenzie, Harry Showers and Dick Cunningham all won their preliminary bouts. Frank Larkins was then unlucky to lose his match. Perhaps the most memorable match of the first day was Frank Getting’s light heavyweight match which had to be stopped in his favour. At the end of the day a Jervis Bay midshipman was left to contest the finals in each weight division. The following afternoon, Admiral Beatty and other flag officers, viewed the hard-fought finals from ringside seats. Dick Cunningham after weeks of sweating down and starving won the bantamweight championship bout with a technical knock-out in the first round. Harry Showers and Hugh MacKenzie had to fight each other in the preliminary final. Hugh MacKenzie won on points and then went on to win the middleweight in great style. Beatty presented the cups to the winners and Harry Showers received a good loser prize. Norman Calder wrote that he witnessed a great victory for Australia and wrote to Commander Grant (at RANC) with the stunning results.”

Some of the Grand Fleet boxing Championships were held ashore at Flotta.

Back in Australia, boxing tournaments were also held at shore establishments such as Cerberus, Leeuwin and Nirimba. They were considered an important part of the training of cadet midshipmen at the Royal Australian Naval College as the following extract from Work Hard Play Hard, The Royal Australia Naval College 1813-1988 by LCDR I J Cunningham shows. “The ‘manly art of self defence’ was taught at the college as part of PT, with the first official tournament of matches between cadets being conducted in July 1918. The competitors were matched by weight and were all volunteers. Boxing was apparently not as popular as college authorities would have liked, because as a consequence of the disappointing number of entries for 1919, the decision was made that all cadets should enter the 1920 tournament. This set the pattern of boxing at the college for over forty years.

HMAS Leeuwin Junior Recruits 1966

As is usual in boxing, all combatants were graded by weight. The age range of cadets, at least until 1956, was 13-17 years of age, and the weight divisions, starting from the “Paperweight” Division, were correspondingly diminutive. The “Heavyweight” Division was rarely contested. Preliminary elimination bouts were held to determine the last two contenders in each weight division, after which the boxing tournament culminated in a gala occasion as the finalists fought out their respective championships. Trophies were awarded to the victors with the overall best exponent being awarded the “Shelley cup”. The good losers received a cake, a traditional college reward and probably, from the point of view of a cadet, more immediately gratifying than any metal memento.

The boxing finals became a feature social and sporting event, and at FND were held at night, with the ring set up in the gymnasium, surrounded by seating for spectators (mainly officers, masters and their wives and the ship’s company).

Boxing continued at the college until 1976 although the last recorded tournament in the college magazine is for 1975. By the 1970s, compulsory participation had ceased, but with the increased numbers of cadets, there was never a lack of competitors. The reason for the cessation of boxing is not clear. One officer who as a cadet the time and who participated in the last tournament stated that he believed one officer’s wife was appalled at the ‘brutality’ and left the gymnasium in tears, shortly afterwards, boxing was discontinued at the college. On the other hand, social attitudes may have influenced those in command as boxing at all levels declined in popularity in the 1970s. In the 1980s, HMAS Nirimba was the only naval establishment that persisted with boxing of any kind. Instruction in boxing or the sponsoring of tournaments ceased thought out the RAN by 1985.”

Another occasion on which RAN boxing prowess was demonstrated occurred in the Mediterranean Fleet. In 1934 to 1936, HMAS Australia had an exchange cruise with HMS Kent in that Fleet. The following is an extract from the cruise book. “It was very soon after our arrival in the Old Country that the opportunity for gathering boxing bouquets was thrust upon the ship. Owing to injuries, a vacancy had occurred in the Royal Navy team in training at the P and RT School, Portsmouth for the Imperial Services Championships to be held at Aldershot. This was in the heavyweight division.

Rumors of our fistic capabilities had drifted across to Pitt Street, with the result that PO Writer Wilson was asked to step into the breach at the last minute to do battle for the Royal Navy. This on reputation alone. Caught somewhat out of condition, but mindful of the honour of the occasion, Wilson made the most of the short time available and journeyed to Aldershot, where he succeeded in annexing the heavyweight title of the Imperial Services. This is believed to be the instance of an Australian securing a Services title, and reflected very favorably on the ship.

HMAS Australia II

The stage (or rather the ring) next shifted to Alexandria for the 1936 Championships of the Mediterranean Fleet. The number of the ships and the total personnel had increased enormously by the concentration necessitated by the political situation, and it was apparent that in each section and division a considerable amount of elimination would be necessary.

All boxing was held on board the “Glorious” where a spacious hangar provided ideal accommodation. The Novices was the first section called up for settlement. In this division, Leading Seaman Curtis succeeded in taking out the final of the Light-Heavies and A.C. Barnes was runner-up in the Welterweight. “Australia” came out of the tournament 5 points behind the winner, “Glorious” but on top of the Cruiser section.

In the Amateur Championships following. We took the 1st and 2nd in the Heavies (P.O.Wtr. Wilson and Stoker Hill), and 1st in the Middleweight (Ldg.Smn. Madden). In addition, Ord. Smn. Hillen reached the final in the Featherweight and A.B. Ward the final in the Lightweight divisions. Although this tournament was not run on a “team” basis, we headed the list in final placings.

Followed a brief respite before the competitors in the Open section were called upon to shape up for eliminating. The unrestricted class gave the ship’s popular and well-known professional, Wall Hancock, a chance to gather glory for his ship. Wally had previously been bringing his ship’s name to the fore with his successes among the civilians, from four starters in the Open section we collected three titles – Heavy (P.O.Wtr. Wilson) Middle (Stoker Hancock) and Welter (Ldg.Smn Madden). This also secured the aggregate in final results, and is, we believe, without precedent on the Station. That one ship could secure three such titles speaks volumes for the prowess and keenness of our glove-throwers, and has left behind a very respected reputation in this branch of sport.

In summary, our successes on the cruise were as follows;

Imperial Services Heavyweight, 1935 – P.O.Wtr. Wilson

Mediterranean Fleet Championship 1935

Novices

Won Light Heavyweight (Ldg.Smn Curtis)
2nd Welterweight (A.B. Barnes)

(won Cruisers’ Aggregate)

Amateurs

Won Heavyweight (P.O.Wtr. Wilson)

2nd Heavyweight (Sto Hill)

Won Middleweight (Ldg.Smn Madden)

(Fleet Finals Aggregate)

Open

Won Heavyweight (P.O.Wtr. Wilson)

Won Middleweight (Sto Hancock)

Won Middleweight (Ldg.Smn Madden)

(Fleet Finals Aggregate).

In addition to the ratings mentioned above, the following men threw punches in the Mediterranean Fleet Championships, and thus did their share towards our fistic fame: – A.B. Lergessner, Ord.Smn. Dawson, Stoker Burrows, A.B. McDonald, A.B. Rimmer, Ord.Smn. Sanderson and Blk.Petersen.”

1922 RAN Boxing Tournament – Winners & Runners Up

Boxing is no longer an official sport in the R.A.N. Perhaps, interestingly, in the December 2019 issue of the Proceedings of the US Naval Institute is an article by Petty Officer McCoy titled BOXING CAN BOOST THE NAVY’S FIGHTING SPIRIT in which he recommends the reinstatement of boxing in the United States Navy.

Letter: Allegations of abuse

December 4, 2012

Dear Editor

I thought I would share my concern at the claims made on the ABC 7.30 report tonight. My concern is that the problem is portrayed as being systemic, with abuse and brutality seeming to have been tolerated and even covered up, especially at HMAS Leeuwin. As a sailor who started at Leeuwin and was a Coxswain during the period spoken about I feel qualified to say that I saw none of what was spoken of or, more importantly, never heard rumour of it. If there was an isolated case it was definitely not widespread. I sincerely hope that ex- Navy personnel like me will speak out to ensure balance and not let the wonderful history of our proud service be degraded by the way these claims are handled in the media.

Regards,

Brent Balchin

(forwarded by Rex Williams, WA)

Nirimba Apprentices – Masters of their Craft

March 3, 2006

Ten former Navy apprentices involved in the building of a yacht more than 40 years ago were reunited with the vessel in Newcastle this week as its new owners.

The men, now in their 50s and 60s, worked at the former Royal Australian Navy Apprentice Training Establishment in Sydney where the yacht started to take shape in 1962.

Nirimba in 1966. It took four years to build and was used in navy training, sailed in eight Sydney to Hobarts and had three private owners.
Nirimba in 1966.
It took four years to build and was used in navy training, sailed in eight Sydney to Hobarts and had three private owners.

It was launched at Sydney’s Garden Island in 1966 and named Nirimba.

The yacht was used by the navy as a training vessel and it sailed in eight Sydney to Hobart races in the 1970s.

It was sold in 1984 and had two owners before a Gold Coast man bought it three years ago and spent more than $80,000 restoring it. Former apprentice Rick Pengilly, who helped build the rudder, propeller shaft and fitout, said it was dream come true to find the yacht advertised for sale on the internet.

‘We (the apprentices) decided to buy it back,’ he said.

‘None of us could afford to buy it back (alone), so we formed a committee 10 weeks ago.’

The group raised $50,000 through appeals on a website and emails to ex-apprentices.

Three of the new owners, Brian Staples, Brian Carney and Les Hanicott are Novocastrians.

The yacht was trucked from Queensland to Newcastle where the mast was installed on Thursday and renamed The MOBI Yacht Nirimba.

It sailed around the harbour yesterday, and today will head to its new home, at the RAN Sailing Association in Rushcutters Bay.

‘I feel like an expectant father; it looks really pretty,’ Mr Pengilly said.

Former RAN apprentices and now Nirimba owners Front - Vern Loeckenhoff and Rick Pengilly. Back from left, Henk Winkler, Ian Hansen, Brian Staples, Chris O’Keefe, Brian Carney, Les Hanicott and Peter Hibbert. (Picture: Fiona Morris)
Former RAN apprentices and now Nirimba owners
Front – Vern Loeckenhoff and Rick Pengilly.
Back from left, Henk Winkler, Ian Hansen, Brian Staples, Chris O’Keefe, Brian Carney, Les Hanicott and Peter Hibbert.
(Picture: Fiona Morris)

By Sarah-Kate Scicluna
Reprinted with permission of The Newcastle Herald© Copyright 2005

Former HMAS Nirimba Site – Memorial Garden

March 9, 2002

On Saturday 3rd of November 2001, in overcast conditions, the Memorial Garden at the former HMAS NIRIMBA site, was formally dedicated.

Nirimba Plaque
Nirimba Plaque

The service was conducted in front of some 150 people, made up of former Naval Apprentices, families, former Civilian Instructors, ex Naval, ex RAAF members and others who had served at the site, either during Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm occupancy, or who had served in many other capacities, with the Honourable John Aquilina, Minister for Education, representing the NSW Government.

Mr Bob Parrish, of the Rooty Hill Sub Section of the Naval Association of Australia, was the Master of Ceremonies and speakers, in order of appearance were Professor Robin Woellner, Dean of the College of Law and Business and Provost of the Blacktown Campus of the University of Western Sydney, who spoke on the Campus as it now exists.

He was followed by Vince Fazio, President of The Naval Historical Society of Australia, who gave an address outlining the history of the site, dating from 1816. He also gave acknowledgments to Jeff Kerrison (NHS Member), who originated the idea for a memorial; CDRE Nick Helyer who assisted in the production of the Society’s bronze plaque; Mrs J. Munro and Bob Parrish for their input on behalf of the Naval Association, as well as to the NSW Department of Education and Training, for the invaluable physical and financial assistance, which was so readily given, in order to ensure that a fitting memorial was designed and constructed. Peter Ross of the Department was a tower of strength as well.

A service was then conducted by the Reverend John Powell RANR, who formally blessed and dedicated the Memorial Garden in a due and appropriate manner.

Among those present, was Jim Reilly, an Apprentice in the initial intake. He approached me and asked if I remembered him (some 45 years later!) Yes, I said, you were in the first intake, you were an ERA Apprentice, you come from Coonabarabran in NSW and you played a mouth organ. That floored him!!

On completion of the formalities, all present were invited to retire to the old Wardroom, where light refreshments were served, courtesy of the Education Department. This informal gathering allowed many acquaintances to be renewed and recollections exchanged. Some publications, covering the history of NIRIMBA from 1816, occupancy by the RAAF, Royal Navy, Migrants, RAN FAA and finally, Naval Artificer Apprentice Training were available, courtesy of the Naval Historical Society and LCDR Ron Robb RAN Rtd.

The Memorial Garden is now a prominent feature of the entrance to the NIRIMBA precinct, and will be a permanent reminder of, and memorial to, all those who have served there and gone before.

In conclusion, another initiative of The Naval Historical Society has come to fruition, assisted by the people and organisations previously mentioned, to ensure that although NIRIMBA has gone, the former Establishment will be remembered forever.


TEXT OF THE PLAQUE AT THE MEMORIAL GARDEN

A HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT KNOWN AS RAAF SCHOFIELDS AND HMAS NIRIMBA – 1941 to 1994

Originally a land grant of 700 acres to Major West in 1814

In 1816 John Pye was granted 695 acres in the area encompassing the site of the Schofields aerodrome, where the family home ‘Waawaar Awaa’ was built . The family retained the land until 1941, when it was acquired for use as a satellite aerodrome for RAAF Richmond. Work commenced in June 1942 on the construction of an air base for the RAAF. In 1944, following the formation of the British Pacific Fleet, Mobile Operating Naval Air Bases (MONAB) were required and Schofields was handed over to the Royal Navy, being named HMS NABTHORPE on 5.2.1945.

In August 1945 the base was renamed HMS NABSTOCK, with former RAAF pilots being trained there for conversion to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm due to shortage of pilots in the BPF.

Following the end of the war, the Royal Navy moved out and the RAAF resumed control in 1946. The post war ‘Iwakuni Mail Run’ to Japan by 38 Squadron RAAF operated from Schofields for a two year period. In 1949 provision was made to upgrade some of the accommodation to house post was migrants, some 21 huts being upgraded to house 300 people. The so called Schofields Migrants Hostel closed on 04.2.1951. Many people from a number of countries commenced their working life from that place and subsequently made a new life for themselves and their families. This aspect was concurrent with RAAF activities at the base.

In November 1950 Schofields was evaluated for hand over to the RAN as an Aircraft Repair Yard, following the formation of the RAN Fleet Air Arm. In 1951 the RAN moved in and Schofields was temporarily commissioned as HMAS ALBATROSS II with a large number of Royal Naval Officers and sailors supplementing the RAN component. In January 1952 the RAAF relinquished control of the base, although that Service remained in residence until September 1952.

On 01.4.1953 RANAS (Royal Australian Naval Air Station) Schofields was commissioned as HMAS NIRIMBA when technical training was undertaken. Due to circumstances beyond the control of the RAN, the Aircraft Repair Yard was closed down in early 1955 and reverted to ‘Care and Maintenance’ status.

In September 1955 preparations began to recommission NIRIMBA as the RAN Apprentice Training Establishment (RANATE) for Naval Apprentice training. In January 1956 Captain F L George RAN assumed command. After ‘Paying Off’ on 01.4.1956 HMAS NIRIMBA recommissioned the next day as the RANATE. The first intake of the Apprentices arrived in July 1956 with the last arriving in January 1992.

HMAS NIRIMBA decommissioned on 25.2.1994. In the intervening period from 1956 some 13,000 young men and women from the RAN and other Commonwealth Navies were trained there, together with several thousand trainees undergoing other courses of varying categories, making an extremely valuable contribution in later years to the wellbeing of their respective nations.

Truly a ‘SUCCESS FROM ENDEAVOUR’

This plaque was erected by the Naval Historical Society of Australia (Inc) in 1999 to commemorate the contributions made by NIRIMBA in the development of this Nation.

Obituary: Harry Train 1918-1999

December 23, 1999

Born: Millthorpe, October 26, 1918 Died: Balmain, May 23, 1999

Harry Train gave 30 years of his life to serving his country with the RAN.

After enlisting in 1936 as a stoker he sailed the oceans of the world and fought in two wars.

Ships in which he served included two from the famous scrap-iron flotilla, the Stuart and Voyager, Australia’s seaplane carrier Albatross, the Australia during the early part of World War II and the cruiser Canberra, which was sunk in 1942.

He was a member of the commissioning crew of the Australia-built Tribal class destroyer Warramunga, which took part in the World War II Philippines campaign. He was also on board the Arunta when it was attacked by a Japanese suicide bomber, resulting in the loss of two of his shipboard mates. In the same ship he took part in the Surigao Straits battle.

In the Korean War he served in Australia’s first aircraft carrier, Sydney. Later he was a member of the crews of two other carriers, Vengeance and Melbourne.

In the early 1960s, by now an engineering officer, he spent a year on board the Gascoyne. He was an engineering instructor at the apprentice: school, HMAS Nirimba.

Within six years of enlisting Mr Train became a petty officer. He studied and passed the artificers’ course and was commissioned as an engineer sub-lieutenant. He left the service with the rank of lieutenant.

Mr Train was educated at Millthorpe and Orange. Before enlisting he had worked for a photographer in Sydney, which led to a life-long interest in the subject.

Mr Train, who did not marry, is survived by his brothers, a sister and a niece.

Daily Telegraph, 28.6.99

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