Saxophone neck strap: Private Pretoria Herbert Zanker, 2/43 Battalion

Place Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk
Accession Number AWM2020.57.1.5
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Leather, Nickel-plated brass
Maker Unknown
Place made United States of America
Date made c 1940
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Adjustable leather neck strap with a plated hook at the end.

History / Summary

Saxophone neck strap used by Private Pretoria Herbert Zanker, 2/43 Battalion when playing 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.