| Accession Number | REL/21130 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Brass; Glass; Metal |
| Maker |
J R Gaunt & Sons |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c 1942-1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Escape compass, concealed in RAF button : Flight Lieutenant N W Pemberton, RAF
Description
Brass button with RAF crown and eagle motif. The back of the button unscrews to reveal a small glass faced compass with floating needle.
History / Summary
Worn by 417230 Flight Lieutenant Neville Wheeldon Pemberton. Pemberton was born in South Australia in February 1913 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 31 January 1942. He served first in the United Kingdom, where this concealed compass was issued to him, but later left for service in the Pacific campaign. He ended the war with 358 Squadron and was discharged on 13 December 1945. These concealed compasses were carried as an aid to escape in the event of the wearer being shot down over enemy territory.