The Royal United Services Institute

The Ursula Davidson Library

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A large and comprehensive Library specialising in national security and defence matters, including the history of the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force is to be found on Level 20 of the Defence Plaza at 270 Pitt Street, Sydney.

The collection also has large holdings encompassing the military and political histories and geography of many nations. Relevant periodicals are available. The earliest publication is a complete set of The Naval Chronicle from 1799 to 1820. The latest publications deal with East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, terrorism and other current concerns. Navy and Army Lists are held for reference and range from the 19th Century to the latest issues. The Library also maintains a small general fiction section.

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Ursula Noreen Davidson, OAM 1917 – 2005

Mrs Ursula Davidson, OAM was the Executive Officer of the Royal United Service Institution of New South Wales for 63 years. Ursula never retired and was working at the Institution’s office until two weeks prior to her death.

Ursula’s association with the Institution began in 1942 when she replaced her sister, Shelagh, who for 12 years had been the office manager and librarian at the then United Service Institution. Thus the two sisters served the Institution for a total of 75 years.

The contribution Ursula made to the preservation of Australia’s military heritage through the Institution, as well as her contribution to the Institution, was recognised by the award to her of a Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia. She received her medal from the Institution’s Patron, Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir, AC, CVO, Governor of New South Wales, at Government House, Sydney, in September 2002.

The great affection in which Ursula was held by the Institution was shown clearly by the large number of its members who attended the Service of Thanksgiving for her life held at St Clement’s Anglican Church, Mosman, on 28 February 2005.

In delivering his eulogy at the service, former President of the Institution, Major General Gordon Maitland, AO, OBE, RFD, ED (Retd), her friend for many years, concluded by saying “this afternoon the RUSI has a very big hole in its ranks.”

John Hopley

John Hopley is a member of the Institution.