Watch List notes:

RAN bicorn hat, c1930s, black 'beaver' with black pleated cockade with gold bullion coil at centre and button for RAN pre 1953 and gold bullion coils at each end, the inside is lined with pleated white silk and with gold blocked maker's name, 'Hobson & Sons (London) Ltd/1,3 & 5 Lexington St/W.1', on the leather sweatband is printed in ink, 'R.P.Oram.', together with a metal bicorn hat container on which is printed on one side in white paint, 'Mr R.P.Oram/R.A.N.', above this is fitted a metal shield bearing the name, 'Hobson & Sons/Military Outfitters/1,3 & 5/Lexington Street/Golden Square/London'. The container with rusting, the hat with some loss of fur at edges, there was a blue plume but this has disintegrated, otherwise very fine.

Reginald Philip Oram, born 10Aug1896 at Totton near Southampton, England; joined RAN at Sydney 25Mar1919; Acting Warrant Engineer 01Jan1929; Commissioned Engineer 01Jan1939; missing presumed lost 27Nov1941 when HMAS Parramatta, while on convoy escort duty to Tobruk, was sunk by German submarine U559.
($670-750)