Overview

Australia’s first victory at sea during World War I was also the first engagement fought by a warship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. The Battle of Cocos took place on 9 November 1914 when the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney responded to an attack by the German light cruiser SMS Emden on a communications station at Direction Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

While Emden was the first to fire, Sydney’s more powerful guns resulted in Emden’s eventual surrender after she was deliberately beached on the North Keeling Island reef. There were fatalities on both sides, including 134 crew from Emden and four from Sydney.

Designer

Stacey Zass, page12

Products released in this issue   

  • Stamps 1 x 70c, 1 x $3.50
  • Covers (blank pictorial and gummed)
  • Postal numismatic cover
  • Prestige cover
  • Gutter strips

Technical specifications

Issue date
14 October 2014
Issue withdrawal date
30 April 2014
Denominations
1 x 70c, 1 x $3.50
Stamp design
Stacey Zass, page12
Product design
John White, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper - gummed
Tullis Russell
Printer - gummed
RA Print
Printing process
Lithography
Stamp size
35mm x 35mm
Perforations
14.286 x 14.286
Sheet layout
Module of 50
FDI postmark
Cocos (Keeling) Island, WA 6799
FDI withdrawal date
12 November 2014

Stamps in this issue

70c HMAS Sydney Royal Australian Navy

This stamp features a contemporary photograph of HMAS Sydney of the Royal Australian Navy.

$3.50 SNS Emden Imperial German Navy

This stamp features a contemporary photograph of SMS Emden of the Imperial German Navy.


This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.