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George Philip Tandy
Lieutenant
by Shirley Joy
Christened 26th. February, 1837 at Aston Juxta, Birmingham, England. Died 2nd. June, 1879 at Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.
The Victorian Naval Forces Record of Service of Lieutenant George Philip Tandy records that he joined in England on the 16th. July, 1864. The following is a copy of that Record of Service -
Branch of Service |
From |
To |
Remarks |
Joined in England |
July, 1864 |
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|
Volunteer Department |
Sept. 9th. 1864 |
Aug. 31st. 1866 |
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HMVS "Victoria" |
Sept. 1st. 1866 |
March 31st. 1876 |
|
HMVS "Cerberus" |
July 1st. 1877 |
June 9th. 1879 |
Date of death. |
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Total service 13 years |
15 months unemployed |
Signed : Capt. C. T. Mandeville, Colonial Naval Force.
Service Record of Lieutenant Tandy. Believed to have been prepared by Lieutenant Tandy when he was ill and requiring a pension. This record is now in the possession of the descendants of Lieutenant Tandy.
A Return showing the names of vessels and tonnage on which Sea Service has been performed, and dates of Certificates from Her Majesty's Navy, and the Steam Navigation Board held by Lieut. G. P. Tandy.
- H.M.S. "Victory" 2164 tons, 120 guns. Sea Service - Date of Entry 11th. February, 1854, Date of Discharge 30th. November, 1854 - 9 months and 17 days, stationed at Portsmouth.
- H.M.S. "Pembroke", 1758 tons, 60 guns. Sea Service - Date of Entry 1st. December, 1854, Date of Discharge 20th. August, 1856 - 1 year 8 months and 20 days, employed in the Baltic Sea, North America and the West Indies.
- H.M.S. "Cumberland", 2214 tons, 74 guns. Sea Service - Date of Entry 21st. August, 1856, Date of Discharge 17th. August, 1859 - 2 years, 11 months and 28 days, employed in South America and Brazil.
- H.M.S. "Excellent", 2311 tons, 74 guns, Sea Service - Date of Entry 18th. August, 1859, Date of Discharge 31st. August, 1860 - 1 year and 14 days, Gunnery ship.
- H.M.S "Landrail", 427 tons, 5 guns. Sea Service - Date of Entry 1st. September, 1860, Date of Discharge 15th. March, 1864 - 3 years, 6 months and 15 days, employed North America and the West Indies.
- H.M.S. "Excellent", 2311 tons, 74 guns, Sea Service - Date of Entry 16th. March 1864, Date of Discharge 16th. July, 1864, - 4 months, Gunnery ship. Total Time served in H.M. Navy 10 years, 5 months, 4 days.
Date of Entry under Victorian Government -
16th. July, 1864.
- H.M.C.S. "Victoria", 446 tons, 7 guns. Sea Service- Date of Entry, 3rd. September, 1865, Date of Discharge- Still serving - 7 years, 10 months and 15 days - Special Service.
Total time served on board "Victoria" 7 years, 10 months and 15 days to 18th. July, 1873. Total time served under Victorian Government - 9 years and 2 days to 18th. July, 1873. Gazetted Lieutenant under the Defence Act 1870 on the 14th. July 1871. Salary £250 per annum. Present Salary 10 shillings per diem from 1st. June 1873. Hold the highest Certificates that can be granted by the Steam Navigation Board or Board of Trade. During the time the "Victoria" was laid up from July, 1869 was appointed Sailing Master of the "Pharos" should that vessel be required for Sea Service.
Remarks -
Joined Her Majesty's Navy as apprentice and passed through training Brig "Rolla". Was engaged in Russian War and hold the Baltic Medal. On board the Admiral's ship under the command of Admiral Sir P. N. Wallace.; Was employed in Gunnery training and examination passed as 1st. Class. Was employed as Gunnery Instructor and Gunner's Mate and kept 3rd. Officer's Watch. Was employed in Gunnery training and re-examinations after being at sea. July 1864 was selected for my proficiency in Naval Gunnery on board the "Excellent" gunnery ship by the Hon. H. Childers and Sir A. Clarke (then Agents for the Colony), to serve under the Victorian Government as Instructor in Naval Gunnery with my time in H. M. Navy to count for pension and also the time served under Victorian Government. Was sent on board the "Victoria" September, 1865 as gunner for the purpose of training Naval Vols., the ship was then despatched to search the Auckland Island and I accompanied her, (there is a Tandy Inlet on this Island). In 1866 resigned all claims on the Imperial Service so that the Admiralty could not recall me trusting to my position in the Colonial Forces. 1867 was Chief Officer and Gunner, Salary £250 p.a. 1868 was Chief and Gunnery Officer, Salary £300 p.a. 1869 Same as in 68, until the "Victoria" was laid up in July when I accepted the reduced pay of 10 shillings per diem.
Under Certificates issued by the -
Admiralty. Steam Navigation Board. 1st. March, 1866 (Not sure what that date is for). Master 1867. Extra Master 1872. Passed in Steam 1870. Passed in Magnetism 1872.
Both during the years of his career with the Victorian Naval Forces, and the years of his three marriages, Lieutenant Tandy's life was, quite often, very distressing and turbulent.
In 1872, when Lieutenant George Philip Tandy was in command of "H.M.V.S. Victoria", the newspapers carried several references relating to an incident that was to have a devastating and long term effect on his life and health.
S.S. VICTORIA AGROUND IN THE CHANNEL. 16TH. SEPTEMBER, 1872.
In political matters nothing of the slightest general interest was stirring today, excepting the fact that the majority of Ministers had taken a holiday, and proceeded on board of "H.M.C.S.S. Victoria" for the purpose of enjoying a trip down the bay in that vessel. This trip was not altogether one of pleasure, but was first planned with a view to test the efficiency of the extensive repairs lately made to the vessel and her machinery. There was a large party on board, including not only ministers, but some members of Parliament, and a number of ladies.
The vessel left Williamstown early in the forenoon, and had not returned up to the time of writing. As a consequence of this event the departments presented a peculiarly deserted appearance. In the afternoon a meeting of the Executive Council, at which such Ministers as were in town were present, was being held, and it was anticipated that a meeting of the Cabinet would also be held later in the evening.
"THE HERALD" MELBOURNE. 17TH. SEPTEMBER, 1872.
Intelligence was received to-day to the effect that after some little trouble, "H.M.C. s.s. Victoria" had been got off the bank on which she grounded yesterday. The vessel is reported to be wholly uninjured by the mishap.
"THE HERALD" MELBOURNE. 20TH. SEPTEMBER, 1872.
Who was in command of Her Majesty's Colonial steam sloop Victoria when she ran aground in the Western Channel, with several of her Majesty's Ministers and their friends aboard? Was it Captain PANTER or was it Lieutenant TANDY? The former declares that he had nothing to do with it, that like "brave KEMPENFELT" of old, when the Royal George went down - "his sword was in the sheath, his fingers grasped" - not the "pen" but the champagne glass. The latter insists upon it that Captain PANTER was in command, and that the suggestions which the captain says he made were in reality orders which he was compelled to obey.
On the other hand again, Captain PANTER replies by saying that it would be quite as sensible to say that Mr. LANGTON was in command, that gentleman being actually his superior officer. We are not, however, about to enter here into argument as to who was and who was not to blame in this matter. The crew certainly, or at least some of them, have declared that
Captain PANTER did give orders during the day, and everybody also knows that suggestions from a superior officer are something very like commands. In the homely language of TOM CRINGLE, "I am afraid you must go" from a first lieutenant to a "mid," means "Brush-instanter," and it is more than probable that a suggestion from the gentleman who is senior officer of our naval forces, that it would be as well to stop the engines, would be regarded by his inferior as an order to do so.
But we will not now argue out this point; we would simply call the attention to the fact that it would be as well not to repeat such an experiment. We have had our little political differences with some of the honourable gentlemen who were on board, but we have no wish to lose them, nor do we think the country could afford. Captain PANTER, too, has started a most dangerous theory. Is it to be understood, in the future, that whenever Mr. LANGTON is on board a colonial war ship he is virtually in command, that if he chooses to give an order, were it to extend to flinging the lee scuppers overboard, he must be obeyed.
We trust not; but if so these excursion trips had better be stopped. Mr. LANGTON may have all the desire to take such a command, his confidence in his own powers may be equal to that of Lord JOHN RUSSELL; but then comes the question of his ability. It is all very well for members of Parliament to know a little bit of everything, or even to do a little bit of amateur artillery practice occasionally, but when it comes to assuming the command of a ship-of-war, even on a peaceful errand, we should not care to sail under Mr. LANGTON'S orders, neither should we like to sail under two captains in any ship. We never heard of any such ship ever coming to anything but grief, nor, with the exception of the Greek language, does the dual number flourish well anywhere.
"THE HERALD", FRIDAY EVENING. 20TH. SEPTEMBER, 1872.
The "Nelson" might be ordered down the Bay some day with a large party on board. A running aground might take place in that case, too, and presuming Captain PANTER to be on board, Lieutenant TURNER might suddenly plead as an excuse that he had obeyed that officer's suggestions as the orders of a superior. Would that be any consolation for the loss of life which might ensue? Taking all these points into consideration, and that naval accidents, even without Ministers on board, are decidedly objectionable, it would be as well to have some definite regulation laid down for future guidance. The Government might at the same time give a definition of the word "suggestion," and settle where the friendly advice is to end and the order to begin; for at present the definition of a suggestion in this direction is almost as hazy as that of a gentleman under the new Betting Act that is to be. We blame no one at present. We do not say that Captain PANTER was wrong, or that Lieutenant TANDY was wrong, or that Mr. LANGTON was wrong. But one thing is certain that, with the Treasurer and the senior naval officer on board, the "Victoria" went aground, and that there appeared to be a doubt as to who was in command.
Perhaps if the accident had not occurred the point might not have been so difficult to settle. But it is no use weeping over grounded steamers any more than over spilt milk, the only thing to be done is to have no more dubious commanders for the future.
THE GROUNDING OF THE VICTORIA.21ST. SEPTEMBER, 1872.
The members of the Pilot Board sat on Wednesday as a special board of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the grounding of the colonial steam sloop "Victoria" in the South Channel on Monday, when on a trial trip down the bay. The only witness examined was Lieutenant Tandy, the commander of the "Victoria."
A considerable portion of the evidence was apparently elicited with the view of ascertaining who was actually in command of the "Victoria" on Monday. Lieutenant Tandy asserts that he was acting directly under the instructions of Captain Panter, his senior naval officer; but judging from his line of cross-examination, Captain Panter repudiates all responsibility in connexion with the mishap. The evidence showed that the compasses on board the vessel were in anything but a satisfactory condition, and that it was impossible to steer by them during a considerable part of the trip. The inquiry was adjourned.
The inquiry into the causes of the grounding of the "S.S. Victoria", during her trial trip on Monday last, was resumed on Thursday before the Pilot Board, and advanced another stage. A great deal of evidence was taken, the principal witnesses being the engineers of the vessel. Some seamen were examined, and Captain Panter made his statement on oath. The doubt as to whom was actually in command of the vessel was not by any means satisfactorily cleared up. The engineer (Mr. Hiddle), it appeared, took his orders from Mr. Wilson, the inspecting engineer.
Lieutenant Tandy claimed to take his orders from Captain Panter. Captain Panter denied that he took the command out of Lieutenant Tandy's hands, but stated that he received sailing orders from Mr. Langton and transmitted them to Lieutenant Tandy. Captain Panter expressed an opinion that in any case, Lieutenant Tandy, being in charge of the deck, ought to have taken prompt measures when he perceived the danger of the vessel going aground, without waiting to consult him. The examination of Captain Panter was not concluded, and the inquiry was adjourned shortly before 5, until Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock.
The book "Deeds Not Words" by Wilson P. Evans, published by Hawthorn Press in 1971, on page 81, summarizes the conclusion to this unfortunate incident -
"Captain Panter was in trouble himself after HMCS Victoria ran aground in the South channel in October, (sic.) 1872. A board of inquiry found that the immediate cause of the mishap was the misunderstanding by Lieutenant Tandy of orders given to him by Captain Panter as he was leaving the deck to go to his lunch. It was also found that Captain Panter having assumed the command, he was responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel and was not justified in leaving the deck to go to his lunch. It was also found that Captain Panter having assumed the command, he was responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel and was not justified in leaving the deck while the "Victoria" was passing through the South channel and further that when Tandy found the vessel drifting into shallow water, he did not display the energy an officer in his position should have done by at once ordering the engines to be moved or the ship to be anchored. Both officers were censured and in addition Tandy was fined one month's pay."
Photocopies of "CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING LIEUTENANT TANDY'S ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO THE "VICTORIA", held in the Brighton Historical Society's collection, include many letters of a most interesting nature. On the 12th. June, 1875, G. P. Tandy, Lieutenant V.N. penned a 2,400 word letter to The Honorable the Chairman and Members of the Volunteer Royal Commission, stating that in - "Captain Panter's report he strongly recommends that a lieutenant and a gunner should be got from home, as he does not think they could be got out here, to form part of the crew of the "Cerberus". With all due deference to Captain Panter's suggestion I would beg to state that I was the first lieutenant gazetted under the Naval Defence Act of 1870; I am still available for duty on board the Cerberus, or any other vessel, should my services be required ……I have only been called upon on two occasions to take part in the drills on board that vessel."
The letter continues, in well structured English, to freely advise the Members of the Volunteer Royal Commission of the solutions to the many pressing problems facing the Victorian Navy at that time. There is no doubt that Lieutenant Tandy was an exceedingly intelligent and knowledgeable Naval Officer who, through experience on ships of the Royal Navy and Victorian Navy, was well aware of the options to be considered by the Victorian Government when planning the defence of the Colony. However, the tenor of his letter was such that some Government officials and Naval personnel resented being directed in their decision making.
On 24th. June, 1875, W. Henry Panter, S.N.O. wrote a letter to the Honorable the Treasurer stating, amongst other things - "I therefore beg to bring his (Lieut. Tandy) case under your notice; and I would suggest that, as he has shown such a total disregard to all proper discipline, and as he is under the Customs Department, and also for the reasons given above, that his commission as a lieutenant in the Naval Force should be cancelled under Art. 5 of "the Discipline Act 1870"".
On the 1st. December, 1875, Lieutenant Tandy wrote a letter to Staff Commander Stanley R.N., Admiralty Survey. In this letter Lieutenant Tandy expressed his concern that H.M.V.S. Victoria in its "Surveying Cruise" "has been taken much closer (in my opinion) to the known and the reported dangers than was absolutely necessary, and when the boats could have been used instead."
"I also beg leave to remind you that since the command of the ship was taken out of my hands, by order of the Hon. The Treasurer (Mr. Langton), and given over to you that you have never on any occasion consulted with me, or informed me when it was your intention to go near any supposed dangers, which would cause me to be more on the alert, in assisting to protect the safety of the ship.
I have deemed it my duty to make the above remarks and suggestions, and I trust I may not be misunderstood, my only anxiety being to assist in the preservation of the lives of the crew, the protection of valuable Government property, and also my own reputation."
This communication was transmitted to The Honorable the Commissioner of Trade and Customs by Staff Commander Stanley. During the following weeks, correspondence, of an indignant and emotional nature, was exchanged between - J. Chatfield Tyler, Assistant Commissioner; Captain Stanley, R.N., Admiralty Surveyor; G. P. Tandy Lieutenant, V.N.; and W. Henry Panter, S.N.O.
On 3rd. December, 1875, H. J. Stanley, Staff Commander, R.N. in charge of Survey in a letter to The Honorable the Commissioner of Trade and Customs expressed the opinion that - "As the contents of the letter from Lieut. G. P. Tandy, V.N., affect the interests of the Government, I trust they will receive from them the fullest consideration. For myself, I feel that I need enter into no justifications or explanations, which would, in my opinion, be equally out of place with Mr. Tandy's communication."
Lieutenant Tandy's letter of concern to Staff Commander Stanley ruffled more than a few feathers. On 21st. December, 1875, E. S. Symonds of the Treasury Department wrote to the Honorable the Premier, suggesting the removal of Lieut. Tandy from the "s.s.Victoria" as it would be conducive to the Public Service.
In a letter from J. Chatfield Tyler, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Trade and Customs, Melbourne, dated 24th. December, 1875, to Captain Stanley, R.N., Admiralty Surveyor, J. Chatfield Tyler states that - "I am directed by the Honorable the Commissioner of Trade and Customs to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd. instant and minute of the 4th. diem, forwarding two communications addressed to you by Lieutenant Tandy. ……. It has been decided to grant him three months' leave of absence (from 1st. January, 1876) on full pay, with an intimation that at the expiration of such leave his services will no longer be required by the Government in the steamship "Victoria"".
The Acting Under Treasurer, R. Gudemann, wrote to Captain Panter, Senior Naval Officer, Williamstown on 12th. January, 1877 (over one year later), stating - "I am directed by the Treasurer to instruct you to take Mr. Tandy into employment, in accordance with the arrangement made for that purpose, and with which you are already acquainted." To which Captain W. Henry Panter, replied on 17th. January, 1877 "Mr. Tandy has joined the "Nelson" to-day, and I have informed him that he will be employed as ship-keeper, at a salary of £182 . 10s. a year, which is the same as he received on board the "Victoria" while occupying the same position. This is the arrangement which I understood the Honorable the Treasurer approved of."
Lieutenant Tandy requested time to consider the offer. As he had served upwards of twenty-two years consecutively in H. M. service to be then reduced, both in point of salary and position, to that of the lowest commissioned and warrant officer at present serving in the Naval Forces of this colony was, to him, humiliating. He further informed Captain Panter that his medical adviser had recommended a sea trip and a change of air.
By the 12th. February, 1877 Lieutenant Tandy had made a decision regarding the offer of employment on the "Nelson" as ship-keeper, at the rate of 10s. per diem. The offer was in his opinion - "so humiliating and degrading that, I am sorry to say, I am unable to accept it under such conditions".
APPOINTMENT OF LIEUTENANT TANDY TO HMVS CERBERUS AND THE RESIGNATION OF CAPTAIN PANTER.
E. S. Symonds, Under Treasurer, wrote to Captain Panter, Senior Naval Officer on the 18th. June, 1877 - "Referring to the item in the Estimates submitted for the Naval Forces, which provides the sum of £400 for "one lieutenant Cerberus," and to the omission from the same Estimates of the item "one lieutenant, Nelson, £350," I am directed to inform you that it is the intention of the Honorable the Treasurer to appoint Lieutenant Tandy, late of the Victoria, to the office first named, and to leave Lieutenant Turner to hold, as hitherto, the position of lieutenant of the Nelson."
E. S. Symonds, Under Treasurer, again wrote to Captain Panter, Senior Naval Officer, Williamstown on 30th. June, 1877 stating - "With reference to my letter (No. 3720) of 18th. instant, I have now the honor, by direction of the Treasurer, to inform you that he has appointed Lieutenant G. P. Tandy, late of the Victoria, to be lieutenant of the Cerberus at a salary (as per Estimates 1877 - 8) of £400 per annum, commencing from 1st. July, proximo. Lieutenant Tandy will be duly informed. I have further to inform you that Lieutenant Turner is to return to the Nelson."
W. Henry Panter, S. N. O., penned a 650 word letter of protest to The Honorable the Treasurer, on the 30th. June, 1877, arguing his case that Lieutenant Tandy had not had sufficient experience on the Cerberus and was not qualified to warrant his appointment. He concluded his letter by stating - "I was appointed to the Cerberus before she was finished, and have been in command of her more than seven years. I shall leave her with great regret, and in now declining the responsibility of continuing in charge of her under circumstances which, in my judgment, will be fatal to her efficiency, I feel that I am only taking the course which my duty to the Crown demands. I beg, therefore, that I may be relieved of the command of the Cerberus with as little delay as possible."
In spite of Captain Panter's protests, the decision to appoint Lieutenant Tandy to be Lieutenant of the Cerberus was not reversed by the Government.
This summarizes the last of the letters held by the Brighton Historical Society which record the personal differences, between Lieutenant Tandy and Captain Panter. Whilst Lieutenant Tandy freely expressed his opinions in his letters, and gave advice to his superior officers, and the Victorian Government, he did not resort to vindictive statements. On the other hand, Captain Panter's letters revealed his animosity towards Lieutenant Tandy. The question must be asked - Did Captain Panter bear a grudge against Lieutenant Tandy from the day the "Victoria" ran aground in the South channel of Port Phillip Bay on 16th. September, 1872?
The content of the aforementioned letters is verified by a perusal of Lieutenant George Philip Tandy's "Record of Service" which appears on the first page of this profile.
Lieutenant George Philip Tandy served on HMVS Cerberus from 1st. July, 1877 to 9th. June, 1879 - date of death. (Actual date of death was 2nd. June 1879).
The story of Lieutenant Tandy's service with the Victorian Navy should not be taken in isolation from his private life. During his years with the Victorian Navy, Lieutenant Tandy suffered the loss of two young wives, one of whom was survived by a baby daughter.
The Victorian records of births, deaths and marriages record the traumatic events which occurred in Lieutenant Tandy's private life, as his career path took him into conflict with his superior officers in the Victorian Navy, and the Victorian Government.
THE PRIVATE LIFE OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE PHILIP TANDY.
At the age of 19 years Norah Mary Morley, the daughter of Michael and Mary Morley and born in Tipperary, Ireland, married George Philip Tandy at Williamstown, Victoria. On the 8th. July, 1869, when Norah Tandy was 22 years of age, she died at Williamstown from -Congestion of the brain and its membranes, accelerated by alcoholic poison. (The finding of the Inquest). At this time George Philip Tandy was the Chief Officer of S.S. Victoria.
There was no issue from Norah's marriage with George Philip Tandy. Norah Tandy was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery on the 10th. July, 1869.
On the 31st. May, 1870, at the Old Harbor Office, Williamstown, George Philip Tandy married 18 year old Jane Elder, the daughter of Douglas Elder, Shipbuilder and his wife Euphemia Elder. Jane Tandy gave birth to a daughter Jane Mary Helen Tandy on the 11th. November,1870 at Stevedore Street, Williamstown. The mother, Jane, died the same day, but the baby survived.
George Philip Tandy married for the third time on the 19th. March, 1873, at St. Jude's Church, Melbourne. He married a widow, Sarah Sophia Waterman, who had three living children, one being deceased. George and Sarah Tandy had four children - Irene May born 1874 George Philip born 1875 Clarice Emma born 1877 Georgina Phillippa born 1879.
Georgina Phillippa was born at Twyford Street, Williamstown on the 24th. June, 1879 - twenty two days after the death of her father.
George Philip Tandy a Lieutenant in the Victorian Navy, aged 40 years, died at Twyford Street, Williamstown on the 2nd. June, 1879. The cause of death was - Aneurism of Aorta, Haemorrhage and bursting of blood vessel. Duration of illness 6 months. The Death Certificate records his parents as - George Philip Tandy, Inspector of Police and his mother, Mary Tandy, formerly Terry.
George Philip Tandy was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery on the 4th. June, 1879. Grave reference - Presbyterian, Compartment C, Line 12, Grave 1.
"THE WILLIAMSTOWN CHRONICLE" 7TH. JUNE, 1879.
Considerable surprise was occasioned on Monday on its becoming known that Lieut. G.P. Tandy, of H.M.V.S. Cerberus had died at his residence, Williamstown, early that morning, of aneurism. He had been dangerously ill a month or two ago, but was very much better, and considered to be in a fair way to recovery. He was out on Sunday, and was to have resumed duty a day or two afterwards. At three o'clock on Monday morning, however, he succumbed. The funeral took place on Wednesday, with the usual observances. Both the naval and volunteer forces were strongly represented by officers and men. The crews of the colonial war vessels, the naval reserve, and Williamstown Artillery, joined in the procession, which was headed by the Cerberus and Williamstown Artillery bands.
Gratitude is expressed to Pat Lovegrove whose late husband, Leonard William (Bill) Lovegrove was a descendant of Lieutenant Tandy. Pat kindly provided many particulars relating to the life of Lieutenant George Philip Tandy.
Gratitude is also expressed to the Brighton Historical Society, Victoria for providing copies of naval history documents which they have in their collection, as well as copies of two portraits of Lieutenant Tandy.
Photograph courtesy of the Brighton Historical Society, Victoria, Australia.
Gratuity to the widow of the late Lieutenant Tandy, Lieutenant Victorian Navy, on board the Cerberus - £300
Appropriation of Revenue 1879-80, Supplement to the Victorian Government Gazette, 6 February 1880 |