Souvenir felt naval pennant - HMAS Cerberus - 1

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c. 1940

Overview

Triangular souvenir naval pennant in horizontal orientation made from a dark blue felt base with printed gold and orange detailing.
The graphics and text on the pennant are screen-printed using oil-based paint or thick lacquer ink.
The wide end of the pennant would have had two fabric ties attached to the edge for hanging, but these are missing. A thin strip of cream fabric is sewn vertically along the hoist.
On the left of the pennant is the official crest of HMAS Cerberus, a Royal Australian Navy shore establishment. It features a depiction of Cerberus, the mythological three-headed hound of Hades, running atop a heraldic torse.
A banner below displays the Latin motto 'SEMPER VIGILANS' (meaning Always Vigilant).
To the right of the crest, the name 'H.M.A.S. CERBERUS' is printed in stylised Gothic text, tapering down the length of the flag.
The colouring on the pennant grades from an ochre orange at the top through to gold at the bottom.
The reverse is plain, except for the remnants of a cloth maker's tag.

Historical information

Originally opened in September 1920 as the Flinders Naval Depot, HMAS Cerberus was commissioned in April 1921, and is the Royal Australian Navy's premier training establishment, located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
It is known as the 'Cradle of the Navy', having served as a foundational training base for Australian service members for over a century.
While its primary focus has always been the Royal Australian Navy (hosting the essential Recruit School for all new sailors), the base expanded over recent decades to incorporate tri-service training for the Australian Army and Air Force.
The base houses critical units including the School of Survivability and Ship Safety, which trains personnel in firefighting, damage control, and chemical defence. It trains roughly 6,000 defence personnel annually across more than 300 active courses.

These types of soft felt pennants were highly popular mid-century mementos purchased by or gifted to sailors, apprentices, and visitors at Australian military bases including HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Nirimba.

There are two examples in the collection, with this one being older than the other. It is believed to date to the World War Two period.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01115

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Pennants

Souvenirs

Themes

Defence > Navy

Education