Pakul : Corporal M McAvoy, 2 Squadron SASR

Place Asia: Afghanistan, Uruzgan Province
Accession Number REL36955
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Headdress
Physical description Cotton, Synthetic, Wool
Maker Unknown
Place made Afghanistan
Date made c 2000s
Conflict Afghanistan, 2001-2021
Description

Afghan pakul (headwear). The pakul is made from dusty grey coloured wool and is a cylindrical shape with a circular crown.The crown of the pakul is double stitched around the edge before being sewn into the rim of the pakul. The rim is also sewn, a pattern of the Chitali region has been formed from the end of the pakul's body.

The long cylindrical body of the pakul has three sets of folds running lengthways. Where the sides of the body is joined there is a fold either side of the stitching. The underside of the hat's crown is lined with a synthetic fabric. It has a white synthetic maker's label with black Afghani markings sewn centrally.

When being worn, the sides of the hat are rolled up to the crown forming a thick band, which is then worn on top of the head like a beret.

History / Summary

Corporal Michael McAvoy was born in Victoria in 1973. He briefly served with the Victorian Police, based at the Ballarat station before enlisting in the Australian Army on 15 December 1992. After training at Puckapunyal, he was posted to 1 Armoured Regiment. In 2001, McAvoy completed the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) selection course in 2001. McAvoy went on to be deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with the SASR.

This example of an Afghan man's pakul was collected by McAvoy while serving with 2 Squadron, SASR in Afghanistan. McAvoy later served as a counter terror instructor.

In March 2007 McAvoy participated in a month long course at the Swan Island Army Detachment on Swan Island near Queenscliff, Victoria. While at Swan Island, McAvoy was killed in a car accident with two fellow SASR soldiers when their vehicle plunged into Port Phillip Bay on 9 April 2007.