Badge: ATL 'Minnewaska' : Sapper F E Rumball, 1 Divisional Signal Company, AIF

Badge from ATL (Atlantic Transport LIne) troopship 'Minnewaska'. The badge is in the shape of a ship's wheel inlaid with white enamel. Written on the enamel in brass coloured lettering is 'A.T.L. / S.S. MINNEWASKA'. On the reverse of the badge is a horizontally mounted pin and keeper. Stamped into the reverse of the badge is the maker's name and city of origin 'FATTORINI / BRADFORD'. At the bottom of the badge, a small safety chain has been wrapped around the wheel. At the end of the chain is a metal safety pin.

The Atlantic Transport Line ship Minnewaska III was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Ireland. The ship was completed on 12 November 1908 and it's maiden voyage was on 1 May 1909. SS 'Minnewaska' completed 66 recorded journeys between England and New York between 1909 and 1915. In January 1915, the ship was requisitioned by the British Government as a troop transport.

The ship's first war time journey was from Avonmouth, England to Alexandria, Egypt. Her next trip took members of the AIF to Gallipoli for the landing on 25 April. SS Minnewaska made five trips to the Dardanelles and had several close calls. The ship's luck ran out on 29 November 1916 when steaming into Suda Bay in Crete. She struck a floating mine which tore a large hole in the hull.

The Captain managed to run her into shallow water, where she came to rest 46 metres from shore. Due to his prompt action, there was no loss of life from the 1800 soldiers and 200 sailors onboard at the time.

This badge is associated with the service of Sapper Frederick Elmer Rumball who was born in 1895 in Goodwood, SA. Rumball was a postal worker before the outbreak of the First World War. He enlisted on 18 August 1914 and was allocated the service number 53. Rumball was posted to 1 Divisional Signal Company. Rumball embarked from Melbourne with his unit on 20 October arriving in Egypt in early December. Rumball travelled with 1 Division from Alexandria to Lemnos in early April 1915 in the Atlantic Transport Lines ship SS Minnewaska.

He went ashore with his unit on 25 April at Gallipoli and remained on the peninsula until 15 December when his unit was withdrawn. He arrived back in Alexandria on 3 January 1916. Rumball was charged on 13 February for having divulged the contents of a service message. He was awarded 28 days Field Punishment Number 2. On 6 March, he transferred to 5 Divisional Signal Company. Rumball left Egypt with his unit on 17 May, arriving in Marseilles on 25 June. He came to the attention of his Commanding Officer on 1 January 1917, when he was caught attempting to use an expired pass in Amiens. He was awarded 3 days of Field Punishment number 2.

Rumball campaigned with his unit until mid September when he was sent to England for two weeks leave. Upon his return he continued to serve with his unit until March 1918, when he reported to hospital with an illness. He returned to duty on 25 April. Rumball was sent to England on 30 June to undertake convoy duty to Australia and home leave. He went absent without leave (AWL) from Weymouth on 19 July until the early afternoon the next day. He was confined to barracks for 7 days and forfeited a day's pay. He embarked from Plymouth on 31 July, arriving in Adelaide on 21 September. Rumball was discharged from the AIF on 25 November 1918.