Before establishing itself as an independent military force in 1911 and becoming one of the largest and most advanced naval forces in the Pacific, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) began its life as part of the British Navy. Over the last century RAN ships have been pitched into life and death battles to defend our shores. The HMAS Sydney sank the German Emden in WW1, while its WWII incarnation sank the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. The HMAS Sydney name has lived on as a Korean War aircraft carrier and as a Vietnam War troop carrier. 20mm full colour enamel lapel badge
