Western Australian Museum CEO Alec Coles today announced that due to strong demand the Museum’s The Last Gentlemen of War exhibition will remain open for a further two weeks, now extended until Sunday, 10 May.

Mr Coles said the exhibition, produced by the WA Museum, tells the compelling story on the Battle of Cocos, Australia’s successful first naval engagement in World War One which took place more than 100 years ago on 9 November, 1914.

“While this story is relatively unknown, it is one which has brought great national pride to both countries,” Mr Coles said.

The exhibition explores the extraordinary events surrounding the battle fought between the first HMAS Sydney and the German cruiser SMS Emden, while Sydney was on escort duties for the Anzac convoy that had only just left Albany.

“This exhibition recreates the events surrounding the Battle of Cocos and tells a story of decency, honour and even humour – a stark contrast to the bloody, protracted acts of war that would quickly follow. It has proved to be one of the most popular exhibitions ever at the WA Maritime Museum.”

Until her battle with Sydney, the Emden had been cruising the Indian Ocean virtually unchallenged for 12 weeks, capturing an incredible 30 merchant ships during that time in a deliberate move to disrupt trade.

Visitors to the free exhibition will discover the wider story from both the Australian and German perspectives, with a unique gathering of iconic objects and images from both Sydney and Emden on display.

The next public lecture on the exhibition, The two gentlemen of Cocos: why 6-inch guns are better than 4-inch guns by John Dowson, will be at the WA Maritime Museum at 6.00pm on 13 March 2015. The lecture is free but bookings are essential on 1300 134 081.

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Media contact:

Flora Perrella

WA Museum

T. 6552 7804  M. 0424 027 646

flora.perrella@museum.wa.gov.au