[1] Returning from the Pacific, the battlecruisers passed through the Panama Canal, while the light cruisers rounded Cape Horn.

After the expense of the First World War, the Royal Navy had demobilized (reduced) to peacetime levels and in 1919, the Treasury introduced the Ten-Year Rule – not to plan for a major threat to the British Empire for at least 10 years.

These included following up any agreements for co-operation at the Imperial Conference, allowing local forces to have the opportunity of doing joint exercises, and to give the Royal Navy more experience of long-distance cruises [2] The fleet sailed from HMNB Devonport on 27 November 1923, and headed for Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The fleet spent Christmas in South Africa and on 26th December the ships opened to public visitors, receiving around 2000 people.

The Squadron Ball took place on HMS Hood in the evening, with local dignitaries including Colonel van Ryneveld, founder of South African Air Force (SAAF) and officers from the other ships.

The squadron had 2,300 miles to travel between the Federated Malay States (now Malaysia), and Australia and had to cope with some challenging weather conditions.

Admiral Field decided the water was too shallow to bring the big ships alongside, but this left them barely visible from shore to the disappointment of local visitors.

The reception was soured when the following day, 18 March, the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald announced to Parliament that his government was suspending construction of the naval base in Singapore.

At an official dinner with Vice Admiral Field, at which there was an outlining the Commonwealth naval policy, the Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) criticised the British Government's decision to abandon the Singapore base project.

Meanwhile, HMS Dauntless steamed on directly for Sydney, pausing to help a merchant ship in distress, the Japanese Honolulu Maru[7] which had been caught in a storm.

The squadron then anchored in Jervis Bay, New South Wales 5-8 April for three rest days before their arrival in Sydney.

In addition to the welcome parades and official functions, the squadron was to gain a new ship, HMAS Adelaide, joining the cruise at Sydney.

The Light Cruiser Squadron leaving Saturday 12 April 1924 to visit Brisbane and various ports in the South Island.

The visit to Brisbane involved the customary ceremonies on which Captain Round-Turner (HMS Dauntless) remarked: ‘We are in the midst of a terrible official day… They have given us as usual a wonderful welcome… but in the speeches, the Labour Government don't disguise the fact that they believe that there will never be another war & therefore ships & especially new cruisers are unnecessary & provocative.