Hand made playing cards : Major B A Hunt, 2/13 Australian General Hospital

Places
Accession Number REL/04536.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Lightweight card
Maker Unknown
Place made Singapore: Changi
Date made c 1944-1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Twenty three hand drawn playing cards made from the backs of Three Castles cigarette packets. The cards are finely marked in black ink, pencil and coloured pencil and comprise a Joker, four Jacks, four Queens, four Kings, four Aces and six ordinary cards (the rest of the pack is accessioned at REL/04536.002). The Joker is marked with J.Joker's gravestone and 'THE JOLLY JOKER DIED IN THAILAND'. The Jack of Hearts carries a tray of food; Jack of Spades is an emaciated prisoner with an empty bowl, spoon, cigarette and patched shorts; Jack of Clubs carries a log of wood; and the Jack of Diamonds is chopping wood. The Queen of Spades is 'Queen' magazine cover; Queen of Clubs a pin-up girl; Queen of Hearts a girl in a photo frame; and Queen of Diamonds a postcard addressed to 'MRS POW AUSTRALIA'. The King of Spades is a cook; King of Hearts a naval officer; King of Diamonds a military policeman; and King of Clubs a Japanese guard. The Ace of Spades shows Changi Jail; Ace of Hearts, the sentry post at Jail Corner; Ace of Diamonds, the Entrance, Changi Jail 1945; and the Ace of Clubs, Changi Jail 1945.

History / Summary

The playing cards belonged to (were made by?) Major B A Hunt, 2/13 Australian General Hospital. He was imprisoned in Changi between 1942 and 1945.