Prismatic compass, Mk III : Sergeant E R McCormack, 2/3 Battalion

Black, Mark III, solid brass, British prismatic compass. The compass has a hinging lid centrally set with a glass viewing lens with a vertically scribed aiming line in the centre. The height adjustible pivoting brass and prismatic glass viewer folds over the lens allowing the user to see the aiming point and the compass dial simultaneously. The turnable glass and brass lens cover is seized solid and it is graduated in single degrees up to three hundred and sixty. Suspended within the compass liquid is a mother of pearl dial, marked N, S, E & W. This dial is marked in single units plus units of ten degrees around the circumference. There are also units of degrees and direction etched to the outside circumference of the compass. Attached to the one o'clock position of the compass is a dial tensioning mechanism which has a missing threaded locking post. A pivoting brass ring for attachment to a lanyard is also fitted, and a spare, circular rubber gasket seal is included.

Associated with the service of NX5425 Sergeant Eric Robert McCormack. McCormack was born in Panchgani, India on 28 October, 1908 and enlisted with the AIF on 3 November, 1939. He served with the Australian Army Canteen Service and later transferred to 2/3 Battalion. The Battalion served in the Middle East and in New Guinea during the Second World War. McCormack was discharged on 12 September, 1945.