Souvenir of Palestine cushion

Yellow cotton sateen machine embroidered souvenir of Palestine cushion with blue cotton fringe. In the centre of the cushion is an embroidered Rising Sun badge in white, red and mauve thread in a chain stitch. Above the Rising Sun badge is embroidered 'Souvenir of Palestine', underneath is the date '1941' and the text 'To my Sweetheart', all in red thread. On the proper left side of the text is an Australian Blue Ensign and on the proper right is the Union Jack. Each side of the of the cushion shows a palm tree. The tree trunks are made from appliqued white cotton sateen and are embroidered over the trunk in black thread. The fronds and the outlines of the trunks are in green thread. At the bottom of the cushion is a leaf like design in green thread. 'From Joe' is written on one corner of the plain white cotton back of the cushion.

An example of a souvenir of Palestine that was later converted into a cushion by the individual that received it. A popular souvenir with Australian troops, this particular cushion was premade and then personalised with a date and the message 'To my sweetheart'. The identity of the sender, known only as 'Joe', and the recipient 'sweetheart' are unknown.