THE Royal Australian Navy would like to hear from anyone who is a descendant of its first three officer entry training classes to mark the centenary celebrations for HMAS Creswell.
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The RAN has trained its own officers since 1913 but in 1915 the RAN College moved from its temporary site at Geelong to the new facilities at Captain’s Point on the southern shores of Jervis Bay.
A centenary celebration of the first officer entry training class at HMAS Creswell will be held during the graduation for course 52 on June 17-18 this year.
The 1915 entry arrived as new recruits on day one at the college on February 10, 1915.
At the time the college had 58 buildings, a breakwater, wharf, sewage farm, water supply and power station and had taken two years to build.
Young boys of only 13 years of age joined as cadet midshipmen and began their naval and academic training in the remote yet pristine environment.
The training college has continued to operate at Jervis Bay, except for 28 years between 1930 and 1958, when it was based in Victoria.
The first two classes started the previous two years at Geelong.
If you are a descendant of any of the original trainees, or know of someone who might be a descendant of the young men, contact Lieutenant Commander David Jones by email, david.jones10@defence.gov.au.