Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican Dollar dated 1895, surmounted with a crown and scrolls inscribed, ‘Nov. 9 1914 H.M.A.S. Sydney. S.M.S. Emden’, reverse stamped, ‘W. Kerr, Sydney’, with ring suspension, a little roughness to the surface of the coin, otherwise good very fine £250-300

In a daring but short career of destruction the German Light Cruiser Emden wrought havoc in the Indian Ocean in the early months of the war. Between 10 September and her destruction by H.M.A.S. Sydney on 9 November 1914, she had captured or sunk no fewer than 23 ships including a Russian Cruiser and a French Destroyer. The combined value of the captures was estimated at £4 million. Arriving off Cocos Keeling Island the Emden sent 43 men ashore to smash the wireless apparatus there. When the Australian cruiser Sydney appeared the Emden departed, leaving the 43 men ashore. Fire was opened, and though at first good the Emden’s gunnery failed later, and quickly losing two funnels the boat took fire, and while the flames spread fatally the Sydney started the work of rescue among the crew. The Sydney was scarcely scratched in the fight and suffered the loss of three killed and 15 wounded.

After this action the Emden was boarded and a quantity of Mexican dollars were found. Many of these coins were mounted by the firm of W. Kerr of Sydney and given to the crew of H.M.A.S. Sydney to commemorate the engagement, while others were sold to the general public to defray the cost of distribution to the crew.