Improvised sign, Machine Gun Squadron, 3 Light Horse Brigade : Rhododendron Ridge, Gallipoli

Improvised metal and wood sign made from a piece of tin shaped over a 104 mm x 240 mm piece of wood . The sides of the tin have solder marks where it was once joined to other pieces of metal. The top is attached to the wood by bending it over the back of the wood. The bottom is attached by two nails. The tin is heavily rusted (inert) and it has the remains of writing in black paint. This is now mostly illegible, but appears to read 'No. 1 PLACE / M[G] 3[RD] L [H] B[DE]'. The piece of wood is attached to a pointed wooden stake by two nails, which are loose. A thin piece of wire is also wrapped around the top of the stake.

This sign was found by the Australian Historical Mission to Gallipoli on 24 February 1919 on the Rhododendron Ridge (or Spur). It is associated with a 3rd Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun position which was located on Rhododendron Ridge during the latter stages of the Gallipoli campaign.

Until the August offensive, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade was stationed on or around Walker's Ridge. After the offensive the brigade moved to the area between Rhododendron Ridge and Table Top.

There is a possibility this sign was brought from Walker's Ridge to Rhododendron Ridge, however it is more likely that it was made after the move to the new positions in August. It may even date from a later period of the campaign, as on 18 October 1915 a memorandum was circulated stating that all signs were to be made of tin, with the text written in black paint, with which this sign complies.