| Place | Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2020.57.1.4 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cane, Nickel-plated brass, Plastic |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United States of America |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Alto saxophone mouthpiece: Private Pretoria Herbert Zanker, 2/43 Battalion
Description
Standard saxophone mouthpiece, consisting of a plastic fitting with a tapered wooden cane reed clamped to it by a double screwed nickel-plated brass clamp, accompanied by a brass cap. The reed has portions of its end missing.
History / Summary
Alto saxophone mouthpiece used by Private Pretoria Herbert Zanker, 2/43 Battalion in the AIF band in the Middle East. Zanker was born on 20 January 1902 at Orroroo, SA, and enlisted at Adelaide on 2 July 1940 with the 2/43 Battalion. After training he embarked for service in the Middle East in December 1940, serving as a stretcher bearer and band member, playing such wartime melodies as "Elmers Tune", "There's Nothing Like Music" and "Comin' in On A Wing and A Prayer", for which his family donated the music. He was wounded at Tobruk on 21 October 1941, served in Syria and was discharged from the AIF on 14 November 1943. According to his family Zanker acquired this alto sax in Australia in 1938.