Royal Australian Navy Reserve Small Gilt Button

This button was worn by Roy Parsons. When war broke out in 1914 Roy joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Midshipman on board the HMAS Pioneer. He completed the war aboard the HMAS Encounter where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR). Post war he was appointed as a sub lieutenant in the RANR and retired in July 1930 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
The gilt button with rope circlet was approved for officers. The tilted anchor is often referred to as a 'lazy' anchor and was replaced in 1928. The manufacturers Firmin and Son Ltd can be first traced back to 1655. The company began life as a button manufacture but soon expanded its repertoire to included militia regalia. Their first factory was opened in 1823 at Clare Court, Drury Lane London and they soon opened other factories in London, Birmingham and Portsmouth. They remain in business today.