| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL35035 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Headdress |
| Physical description | Leather, Oxidised brass, Polished cotton, Wool felt |
| Maker |
Clothing Factory, South Melbourne (MTX) |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Khaki beret : Lieutenant A L Lauchlan, 2/11 Armoured Car Regiment, AIF
Description
Khaki wool beret lined with khaki polished cotton. The brim is bound with brown leather with an adjusting lace to the rear. There are two black painted metal eyelets on the right side of the beret for ventilation and a Rising Sun badge on the left. The words 'MTX SIZE 7' are stamped in black ink on the lining.
History / Summary
Related to the service Allan Lawrence Lauchlan, born 31 January 1921 at Croydon, NSW. Lauchlan enlisted on 14 July 1941 and served with 2/11 Armoured Car Regiment. The 2/11 Armoured Car Regiment was formed at Cowra and became part of 1 Armoured Division in July 1941; they were issued the Australian-designed and built Dingo Scout Car in June and July 1942, with numbers made up with the Rover light armoured car. One squadron of the 2/11 was detached in September 1942 to form 2/4 Armoured Regiment, while the remaining three squadrons joined 1 Armoured Division in Western Australia, where they remained until the Division was disbanded a year later. They were then transferred to 2 Armoured Division and disbanded in early 1944. Lauchlan met his future wife, Third Officer Louise Bryant Dewez, WRANS, at Townsville later in 1944. He was discharged on 1 July 1946.