There is a large anchor at the Berri Estate Winery on the Sturt Highway at Glossop. It is part of the Vice-Admiral J C Glossop* Memorial. A white painted ship's anchor stands alongside a granite obelisk. which has a bronze plaque is affixed to it.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
“GLOSSOP PROCLAIMED AUGUST 1921
NAMED IN COMMEMORATION OF VICE-ADMIRAL J. C. GLOSSOP, CB. RN.WHO SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AS COMMANDER OF HMAS SYDNEY IN THE BATTLE OF COCOS ISLAND 9TH NOVEMBER 1914.
UNVEILED BY MAYOR H. A. BOSMAN 19TH AUGUST 1978”
* (Commodore John Collings Taswell Glossop, born 23rd Oct 1871.)
The memorial is said to have been opened on 19th August 1978 by Mayor Hein Arie Bosman. The following report, however, suggests otherwise: -
According to page 7 of Royal Australian Navy News (National: 1958 - 2023) Fri 2 Nov 1979 (via Trove):
“ANCHOR PRESENTED TO TOWN NAMED GLOSSOP
Australia's earliest naval history was recalled at a recent ceremony held at the South Australian township of GLOSSOP, 24km from Renmark.
The ceremony marked the official handing over of a two-tonne anchor to commemorate the name of Vice- Admiral J. C. T. GLOSSOP, CB, RN, after whom the town of GIossop was named back in August 25, 1921. Commander C. K. Callins, Naval Officer Commanding South Australia, presented the anchor to the Mayor of Berri, Mrs Evans, who accepted it on behalf of the people of GIossop.
Events leading up to the handing over of the anchor were outlined by Mr Geoff Neighbour, President of the Renmark Sub-section of the Naval Association, who acknowledged the assistance received from the District Council of Berri in arranging for the erection of this fine memorial to a naval hero.
In making the presentation, Commander Callins referred to the events that made the name of Captain GIossop a household name in Australia in 1914. Commander Callins said he had pleasure in making the presentation on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff and the Royal Australian Navy. Mayor Evans said she was born and raised along the famous River Clyde in Scotland, where the tradition and history of the Royal Navy were proudly upheld. Hence, it was no surprise to her that these same traditions were still held in high esteem throughout the world and that this ceremony should be such an auspicious one. She believed that GIossop was indeed fortunate to be able to lay claim to a particularly close liaison with the Navy at a time when there was a need for people to display national pride and be proud of their heritage. GIossop may be only a little insignificant town, but the quality of its residents and the pride they have shown in wishing that recognition to be given its namesake, have illustrated what pride and community spirit is all about. Mayor Evans thanked Commander Callins for presenting this gift to GIossop and gave a commitment on behalf of council that the anchor would be maintained in a manner befitting its "important significance. The Sub-Section feels that it is unique in that as far as it has been able to ascertain so far, GLOSSOP is the only town - in Australia that has been named after a RAN hero.”
(Anchor photos source - Virtual War Memorial | Vice-Admiral J C Glossop Memorial, Glossop, (vwma.org.au))
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