Italian warrant officer's shoulder strap : Private J K Callinan, 9 Division Signals

Bronze shoulder strap with three lugs for attachment to the shoulder of the wearer's uniform. The strap is embossed with a flaming grenade over crossed rifles, within a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. The rifle barrels are surmounted by the crown of the Italian House of Savoy.

Associated with the service of QX8716 Private James Kevin Callinan, born Brisbane, Queensland, on 7 November 1919. Callinan was a rubber worker when he enlisted in the Second AIF on 7 June 1940. After initial training as a signaller he embarked for overseas service with 9 Division from Sydney aboard SS Queen Mary, on 27 December 1940. He arrived in Egypt on 2 February 1941, was posted to Hill 69, the base area for 9 Division Signals, and undertook further training as a motorcycle despatch rider. He was twice hospitalised at 1 Australian General Hospital, on both occasions as a result of motorcycle accidents, in June and October of 1941. During the siege of Tobruk (April-August 1941) Callinan was also responsible for carrying despatches by sea, on the Tobruk ferry run. Absences without leave and refusal to obey commands led to a period in the Field Punishment Centre for repeat absentees in 1942, before Callinan moved to Syria with his Division. In March 1943 the Division returned to Sydney for rest and training before moving to New Guinea in August. Callinan again served as a despatch rider, at Lae, but was hospitalised with malaria at 2/3 Casualty Clearing Station in November. During the first part of 1944 he again suffered from malaria, as well as a number of tropical skin diseases and throat infections. He was repatriated to Australia in March 1944 and discharged on 22 December of that year.