| Place | Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM20147.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Enamelled steel, Paint |
| Maker |
Black, Thomas George |
| Place made | North Africa: Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
| Date made | c 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Hand painted sign from Tobruk "R.A.E. AT WORK" : Sapper T G Black, 2/3 Field Company, AIF
Description
Enamelled steel sign with a white face and blue reverse, hand painted in grey with cartoon images showing troops of the Royal Australian Engineers being pursued by enemy shells. A narrow border has been added to the sign in grey paint, and at the bottom are the words: 'R.A.E. AT WORK PICTURES THAT NEVER GET INTO THE PAPERS', and the signature of the artist 'BLACK'. There is an oval shaped hole 80 mm from each corner.
History / Summary
These signs were made in Tobruk, probably using Italian road signs left in the town, by VX32727 Sapper Thomas George Black of 2/3 Field Company, AIF. Black was an illustrator and commercial artist from Ballarat.