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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  date14 October 2014
Issue withdrawal date30 April 2014
Denominations1 x 70c, 1 x $3.50
Stamp design Stacey Zass, page12
Product designJohn White, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummedTullis Russell
PrinterRA Print
Printing processLithography
Stamp size (mm)35mm x 35mm
Perforations14.286 x 14.286
Sheet layoutModule of 50
FDI postmarkCocos (Keeling] Islands, WA 6799
FDI withdrawal date

12 November 2014

Stamps in this issue

HMAS Sydney Royal Australian Navy

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

70c

SNS Emden Imperial German Navy

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

$3.50

Related stamp issues

  • Issue date: 04 October 2022

    Cocos (Keeling) Islands Pandanus

  • Issue date: 25 August 2015

    Islands of Cocos

  • Issue date: 12 May 2020

    Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Booby Birds

  • 18 October 2016

    Art of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

View all stamps

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