| Place | Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Tamworth |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL33753.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Badge |
| Physical description | White metal |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1930 -1942 |
| Conflict |
Period 1930-1939 Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Collar badge: 12 Australian Light Horse Regiment, (New England LH) - Lieutenant J W Carey,
Description
Left hand, white metal collar badge of 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment. The voided numerals '1' and '2' separated by a standing kangaroo facing right. Below the kangaroo are the letters 'ALH' above a scroll containing the motto 'VIRTUTIS FORTUNA COMES' (Fortune is the companion of valour).
History / Summary
Collar badge associated with the service of Lieutenant (later Major) John William Carey. Carey was born at Tamworth, NSW, in November 1912, and was commissioned in B Squadron, 12 Australian Light Horse Regiment in October 1937. In July 1940, he transferred to the AIF with the service number NX34910, and joined 2/18 Infantry Battalion as a lieutenant. Carey was captured along with the majority of the battalion when Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942, and spent the remainder of the war as part of 'A' Force on the Burma-Thailand railway. He was released from captivity in 1945, and discharged from the AIF in early 1946.