Rehabilitation embroidery : Private F W Gephart, 2 Battalion, AIF

Framed satin and long stitch embroidery on a cream cotton base depicting centrally a King's crown in yellow, red white and blue with crossed Union Jack and blue Australian ensign, framed either side by a green wreath with red berries, and framed top and bottom by scrolls in red over blue reading 'FOR ENGLAND HOME AND BEAUTY' and 'AUSTRALIA WILL BE THERE'.

Patriotic rehabilitation embroidery made by 7471 Private Frederick William Gephart, born 14 May 1882 at Moama, NSW. Gephart, a farmer, was living in Dubbo when he enlisted on 22 March 1917 and embarked with the 25th reinforcements, 2 Battalion from Sydney aboard HMAT Hororata on 14 June 1917. Whilst serving with 2 Battalion in France, he suffered exposure to gas and was invalided to England for treatment. During rehabilitation in London, he made this and two other embroideries (see REL34170 and REL34172 ) as part of his occupational therapy programme. Gephart finally returned to Australia on 28 August 1919 and died at Mernda in Victoria in 1958. The two phrases used on this panel are taken from the chorus of W W Francis's 1914 patriotic song, 'Australia Will Be There' (Rally round the banner of your country / Take the field with brothers o'er the foam / On land or sea where ever you be / Keep your eye on Germany / But England, home and beauty / have no cause to fear / Should auld acquaintance be forgot? / No! No! No! No! No! / Australia will be there / Australia will be there).