1937 Pattern Blancoed Ankle Gaiters : Private W G Humphreys, 2/2 Pioneer Battalion, AIF

Pair of Australian Army Second World War 1937 pattern gaiters that have been blancoed white. On one end of each gaiter are two canvas tongues and on the opposite end are canvas loops with brass buckles attached for fastening the gaiters. On the reverse of the gaiters is cotton canvas reinforcing running across the lower half and extra reinforcing panels in the shape of half moons, one to sit over the top of the service boot and the other to sit over the heel. Printed in black ink on the reverse side of the gaiter is the maker's details which have been obscured by wear. On the first gaiter near the makers mark is the batch mark stamped in black ink 'C [BROAD ARROW] 539'. On the second gaiter also stamped in black ink is the batch number 'C [BROAD ARROW] 939'.

Wallace George Humphreys was born 30 July 1910 in Flemington, Victoria. After his schooling, he worked as a railway clerk in the Flemington area and resided in Ascot Vale. Humphreys enlisted in the 58th Battalion on 3 June 1941 in Moonee Ponds. He was married on 28 June 1941 and spent a little over a month with his wife before reporting for training at Mt Martha, Victoria on 5 August 1941. Humphreys undertook training as a rifleman and after completing basic training at the end of October, was posted to Seymour for further training. On 16 December, Humphreys transferred to Area 58A in Seymour where he remained for the next year. On 7 January 1943, he was transferred into the AIF. Humphreys spent the next six months training as an anti-aircraft artilleryman before transferring to the infantry. He spent from 31 July 1943 to 3 November 1943 in training until 4 November, when he was hospitalised after suffering a back injury during his training. Humphreys spent the next six months recovering from his injury. He was released from hospital in May 1944 and on 30 May was taken on strength of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion. In late July, he had a relapse of his back injury and returned to hospital where he spent the next month recovering. He returned to his unit in late August and continued training. Humphreys embarked with his unit on 16 March 1945 from Cairns, arriving at Morotai on 28 March. The 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion took part in the initial landings on Tarakan on 1 May 1945 and assisted 26 Brigade in repelling Japanese attacks on the beachhead. The Pioneers also assisted in holding a position known as the Finch. On 18 May, the Battalion embarked for Morotai to prepare for the landings on Balikpapan. Humphreys took part in the initial landings on Balikpapan and assisted in securing and organising the beachhead. As the Infantry progressed inland, the pioneers provided parties to guard Japanese prisoners, burial details and other activities. Humphreys was still on Balikpapan when Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945. As soldiers were returned to Australia, the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion was disbanded. Humphreys was transferred to the 2/10 Infantry Battalion on 10 October 1945 and remained on Balikpapan until the end of 1945. On 1 January 1946, Humphreys embarked for Australia aboard SS Stamford, arriving in Brisbane on 10 January. He was discharged from the AIF on 4 February 1946 in Victoria.