St Kilda in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Sir William Rooke Creswell
Father of the Australian Navy
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
1. Sir William Rooke Creswell Marker
Vice Admiral
Sir Willian Creswell K.C.M.G. K.B.E.
Founder of the Australian Navy
Born July 20, 1852
Died April 22, 1593
Erected as a token of
appreciation of his
services to Australia.
by the
Victorian Branch Of The Navy League
assisted by
The St. Kilda Shore Committee
The Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club
and many other Australian admirers
(Bottom Plaque)
Vice Admiral
Sir William Rooke Creswell
KCMG KBE RAN
"Father of the Australian Navy"
20-7-1852 22-4-1933
This Memorial erected 1st May 1938 and restored during the RAN "Royal" Centenary
Year 2011, is dedicated to this outstanding Naval Officer and all who served with him
in establishing the foundation of Australia's Navy.
Unveiled Monday 5 September 2011 by
Chief of Navy
Vice Admiral R. Griggs AM CSC RAN
this page online
Creswell on HMS Protector returned to a new Australian Commonwealth and his post in Queensland that, from 1st March, became Australian Navy Commandant in Queensland. Sir William, concerned about the global isolation of Australia, continued advocating a strong Naval force for Australia consisting of torpedo boats, destroyers, training schools and dockyards. 1904 saw him appointed the first Director of the Australian Navy. He continued advocating the need for a stronger Australian Navy.
Creswell's proposals were supported in 1909 when Great Britain proposed, and the Australian Government agreed to, replacing elements of Australia's Foundation Naval Fleet. The first ships, HMAS Yarra and HMAS Parramatta, arrived Melbourne on 10th December 1910.
On the 1st March 1911 Sir William received both his knighthood and a commission as Rear-Admiral. On 10th July 1911 HM The
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
2. Sir William Rooke Creswell Marker in Catani Gardens
Sir William retired in 1919, greatly revered, having completed a career of service marked by imagination, enthusiasm and ability. His distinguished service as Senior officer in the RAN during the First World War, saw him promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral.
The Memorial restoration sponsor, He Victoria Division Navy League of Australia, acknowledges the generous public support of the Vera Moore Foundation, the Creswell Family, friends and the co-operation of the City of Port Phillip, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, HMAS Cerberus and the RAN Naval Heritage Centre.
Erected 1938 by The St. Kilda Shore Committee and The Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1911.
Location. 37° 51.788′ S, 144° 58.299′ E. Memorial is in St Kilda, Victoria, in Port Phillip. It is on Pier Road 0.4 kilometers south of Beaconsfield Parade (Victoria Route 33), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2 Pier Road, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Great War and World War II - St Kilda (within shouting distance of this marker); Crew of the H.M.S. Endeavour (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); A most resolute lady (about 150 meters away); Jupiter (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Saturn (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Catani Archway (approx. half a kilometer away); Great Scenic Railway (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Councillor Edward O'Donnell (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St Kilda.
Also see . . . Sir William Rooke Creswell (1852–1933). Australian Dictionary of Biography
In 1886 Creswell began speaking out on the need for adequate Australian naval forces to supplement the Royal Navy squadron based at Sydney. In the South Australian Register in 1886 he argued that it would be better to develop local forces instead of subsidizing the British squadron. Though such views had been raised earlier by Rear Admiral (Sir) George Tryon, Creswell's articles stimulated much debate. On 29 December 1888, at St Jude's Anglican Church, Port Elliot, he married Adelaide Elizabeth, daughter of R. I. Stow.(Submitted on October 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Five years later, in the rank of commander, he succeeded Walcot as naval commandant. He was promoted captain in June 1895 and appointed C.M.G. in 1897. That year one of his reports was taken to the colonial conference by the South Australian premier. It recommended enlisting Australians in the Royal Naval and a Royal Navy Reserve in Australia for British squadrons east of Suez. The conference rejected these proposals and Creswell later abandoned them; in 1899, at a conference of Australian naval officers in Melbourne, he recommended instead the raising of an Australian force.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
