Perspex sweetheart brooch from New Guinea : Signalman J A Lovatt

Clear Perspex brooch in the form of a diamond shaped pendant suspended from a piece of wire attached to an upper bar. The bar is engraved with the words 'NEW GUINEA' which have then been infilled with gold paint. The back is shaped to hold a pin fitting, which appears to have been adapted from a large safety pin. Both sides of the pendant have been engraved with a tropical scene showing palm trees, a native hut, boats, the sea and a hill, and then infilled with gold paint. The finished result gives the viewer the illusion of a scene in three dimensions.

Associated with the service of QX36751 Signalman John Andrew Lovatt in 17 Australian Brigade Signals Section. Lovatt was born in Govan, Scotland and later emigrated to Australia. A qualified radio mechanic, he served in the Citizen's Military Force with the service number Q76387 from December 1941, first as a sapper with 16 Army Field Company Royal Australian Engineers, and then as a lance corporal with 11 Motor Regiment Signals Section. In July 1942 Lovatt enlisted in the Second AIF. By July the following year he was a corporal with the Australian Armoured Cavalry Regiment, and then in January 1944 with 2 Australian Armoured Brigade Group Signal Squadron. Lovatt reverted to the rank of signalman and transferred to 17 Australian Infantry Brigade Signal Section at his own request so that he could serve overseas. He served in New Guinea with the Brigade, mainly at Aitape and Wewak, between November 1944 and December 1945. Lovatt was discharged in January 1946. This piece of sweetheart jewellery was given as a gift to his wife, Jean, who he had married in January 1943.