White tropical seaman's trousers : Able Seaman Gunner O G Morris, HMAS Australia (I), RAN

Pair of sailor's white linen fall-front trousers with a button fastened fold-down front flap and one enclosed pocket concealed behind the flap on the right. The fold-down front flap is enclosed with four metal buttons which are positioned horizontally along the fold-down flap and three buttons vertically down the opening fly. On the back of the buttons is the makers name 'BUTTONS LIMITED BIRMINGHAM'. On the waist there are two holes with cord tied through them and the back of the waist band has laces to adjust the fit.

These tropical seaman's trousers were worn as part of the summer uniform by 2351 Able Seaman Gunner, Otto George Morris. Morris was born in Naringaningalook in Victoria on 23 November 1894. He was one day short of his eighteenth birthday when he enlisted for seven years with the RAN on 22 November 1912. After spending just over a month at Cerberus, Morris's training continued for service on torpedo boat destroyers and he joined HMAS Yarra on 1 October 1913.

At the beginning of July 1914, Morris was posted to the light cruiser HMAS Sydney. The outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the Sydney was engaged in operations against Germany's Pacific colonies and destroyed a radio station in the Pelew Islands. Returning to Australian waters, Sydney joined the escort of the first troop convoy from Australia to the Middle East, which left Albany on 1 November 1914.

On 9 November, Sydney was detailed to leave the convoy to investigate reports of an unknown vessel off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This vessel turned out to be the German cruiser SMS Emden. In the resulting engagement, in which Morris was a gunner, Sydney was hit early by the long-ranging 10.5 cm guns of Emden, resulting in four dead and twelve wounded. However, the superior firepower of the Australian cruiser's broadside soon told and Emden was left 'beached and done for' on North Keeling Island.

Morris served with the Sydney until September 1917, with his next ship posting being the cruiser HMAS Melbourne which he joined in mid April 1919. He served with the Melbourne until 5 August 1919, the day the ship was paid off and laid up. Morris's last posting was HMAS Australia (I), where he spent his last days in the RAN and was discharged on 12 December 1919.