Japanese naval cap : 42730 Suzuki Koich, Imperial Japanese Navy

White cotton Imperial Japanese Navy cap with peaked front. The crown is made of five pieces with three eyelets sewn into either side. The back seam is laced up by a cotton tape. Sewn on the front of the cap is a round badge with a black anchor. Two tapes are sewn on either side of the cap and originally would have been secured across the peak.Inside is a label marked in Japanese characters with the maker's and wearer's details.

This Japanese naval cap was collected by QX7387 Sergeant George Walter Weier of 2/31 Battalion near Gona in 1942. Weier was born in Gatton, Queensland in January 1919 and enlisted on 1 May 1940. He served in the Middle East, including Tobruk, with 2/32 Battalion and was transferred to 2/31 Bn in January 1942. He returned to Australia and was then sent to New Guinea. He was wounded in action at Gona in November 1942 and returned to Australia. From July 1943 to January 1944 he was again sent to New Guinea and then returned to Australia. He was promoted to Sergeant in May 1945 and then embarked for further service in Borneo. He was killed on 3 July 1945 at Balikpapan. The cap belonged to 42730 Suzuki Koich, a short term active service rating based at Yokosuka Naval base in Japan. The cap was issued by the Yokusuka Military Supply Section in May 1942.