Question of fraud

Recently I placed an ad to dispose of an old ships crest which I had salvaged from an OP Shop some time ago which at the time was destined for the tip.

However, within a day I was sent a nasty gram stating that if it had not come into my possession by either being presented to me as a personal presentation or acquired through the official disposal procedures
(with the necessary receipts), then I was committing fraud.

My questions are quite simple.
When does the Navy cease to be guardian of decommissioned ships equipment? If an item has been presented or bought legally, does this mean it can never be sold as the new buyer is now committing fraud?

Alternatively, although I am not aware of the crest’s history or previous owner, (yeah yeah, I’ve been in long enough to know that ignorance is no excuse), I did acquire the crest by legal means.

So if the original owner also came by the crest by legal means, although I can’t prove otherwise, where does fraud come into it?

I’m sure there are lots of military collectors out there who would like to hear the “official position” on this subject, or is it just a matter of too many people with too little to do?

SGT Rob Cooper
robert.cooper5@defence.gov.au

The following is a response to the above letter from SGT Cooper, from LCDR Shane Moore, Director NHC.

SGT Cooper has raised an important issue.

All items purchased by the Commonwealth (public funds) for Navy remains the property of the Commonwealth unless gifted by the Minister (usually large items - ships, submarines etc) or the item has been through the ADF Disposals process (usually an auction).

These processes are in place so that irreplaceable heritage items of the RAN are not lost to the nation.

For a person’s ownership of an ex-Commonwealth item to be recognised, a receipt or other proof of ownership transfer must be provided when demanded.

Many naval heritage items have been acquired by persons in the past that, without their knowledge, remains the property of the Commonwealth.

Consequently, any person attempting to sell such an item, even unknowingly, is technically defrauding the Commonwealth and may be liable to prosecution.

It is very important for members and ex-members to be sure that any memorabilia they may hold from their service is not a Commonwealth item.

Should any member be unsure of their situation I would ask them to contact me at the NHC Spectacle Is - shane.moore@def-ence.gov.au and seek further information.

LCDR Shane MOORE
Director NHC

---

Sabre with a twist

I recently returned to the scale aircraft modelling fraternity and joined the International Plastic Modellers Society.

I was surprised to see an article in the Vol 2, 1990 Issue of the club magazine In Miniature referring to an RAN Sabre.

The story went along the following lines:
In the 1970s, two RAN personnel from Nowra were sent to RAAF Amberley to undertake a Aircraft Surface Finishers Course. Towards the end of the course, the seamen were told to repaint the Amberley paint shop’s resident Instructional Airframe CAC Mk 32 Sabre.

The Nowra sailors very diligently applied fresh paint to the Sabre, but rather than the standard RAAF silver dope finish, the students repainted the Sabre in the distinctive Oxford Blue and White colours of an RAN aircraft, complete with the word “NAVY” on the fuselage and upper and lower wing surfaces, and the then standard ‘kangaroo’ roundels.

I’m not sure of the veracity of the article but I’m rather drawn to the fact that the incident actually took place.
Although the article is supported by a scale drawing, there is no photographic evidence to support the article or the event. There is however reference to the fact that an article about the incident appeared at the time in Navy News and that this article was supposedly supported by a photograph.

If any reader remembers this incident or has any photos of the Sabre, please contact the author.

Roger Lambert
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
lambertr@epa.nsw.gov.au

 

Have your Say

Navy News ‘Over to You’ is your way of having your say about issues that concern you and your workmates. If you have something to input, write to us and make a difference to the policies and issues that affect you. Email your letters to the editor Navy News at navynews@defencenews.gov.au Please note letters cannot be published anonymously.

 

 

 

 

.