Welcome home banner : Lance Sergeant F W Dove, 3/14 Field Ambulance

Place Oceania: Australia
Accession Number REL32699
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Cotton
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

A heavily stained white cotton banner with 'Welcome Home' hand printed in blue over a stenciled light green outline of Australia. Top and bottom edges are hemmed. The top hem has a cotton taped tie extending 125mm from each corner.

History / Summary

Welcome home banner made to celebrate Lance Sergeant Frederick Walter Dove’s return to Australia in December 1945. Born on 16 December 1918 in Guildford, NSW, Dove enlisted as a private with the Citizens Military Force on 9 January 1940 and was assigned number N57644. He served with 14 Field Ambulance in Australia until May 1942, and then in Papua New Guinea, where he was promoted to acting corporal, until March 1943. Dove then joined the AIF on 18 July 1943 and was assigned number NX172948. On 20 September Dove became part of 3/14 Field Ambulance when his unit was amalgamated with 3 Field Ambulance. He remained in Australia until February 1945 when he sailed for Aitape, Papua New Guinea. Dove was appointed lance sergeant on 13 June 1945. He returned to Australia on 18 December 1945 and was discharged on 4 February 1946.