| Place | Approximate locations: At sea |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/18313 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cotton |
| Maker |
Various |
| Place made | At sea |
| Date made | 1916-1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Autographed handkerchief : Gunner P Clarke, Siege Artillery Brigade, AIF
Description
Khaki army issue handkerchief autographed and decorated in indelible pencil. The handkerchief bears 28 signatures with service number and state of origin. Among them is that of '829 GNR Phil Clarke N.S.W.'. The handkerchief has been decorated with rubbings of Royal Australian Artillery badges and an 'AUSTRALIA' title and a drawing of a lifebelt bearing the words 'A72 TROOPSHIP BELTANA CHRISTMAS 1916'. On each side of the lifebelt are the words 'SAILED FROM SYDNEY 25TH NOVEMBER 1916', 'ARRIVED IN ENGLAND 29TH JANUARY 1917'. Below the life belt are are the words 'To Bub from her brother Phil'.
History / Summary
Handkerchief sent home by 829 Gunner Phil Clarke to his sister. Clarke enlisted on 28 August 1916 and sailed with 9 Reinforcements, Siege Artillery Brigade to England. He served, along with most of those who signed this handkerchief, with 36 Heavy Artillery Group. He returned to Australia on 11 May 1919. Unusually, from the 27 men whose names can be traced from this cloth, all of them survived the war.