Hand painted sign from Tobruk with illustrated poem : Sapper T G Black, 2/3 Field Company, AIF

Enamelled steel sign with a white face and blue reverse, hand painted in black with a poem and image of an Australian soldier seated on a box. In a cloud shaped 'vision' by the soldier's head is a colour painted portrayal of an Australian rural scene. A narrow border has been added to the sign in grey paint. The poem, commencing with a decorated letter 'O' in yellow, red, green and black paint, reads: 'Oh, give me land that's not covered with sand Oh, give me the land that bore me I'll never forsake it when once I return If e'en the king should implore me. Oh, give me the gums and the clear sparkling streams Give me the stations and cattle The song of the birds will be heavenly sweet After the roar of the battle. Oh, just give me the chance to stand in the street Where we played kick-the-tin after classes Then I'll go where we trod and there thank my God For a land that none other surpasses.', followed by the signature of the poet and illustrator 'BLACK'. There is an oval shaped hole 80 mm from each corner.

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.