Pair of insect repellent canisters in Pattern 1944 wallet : Australian Army

Two insect repellent canisters with screw caps at each end in a rubberised fabric pouch. The words 'REFILL END' are printed in black on one screw cap, and 'SPRINKLER END' on the other. The Sprinkler end has a single small hole to dispense the repellent, and the cap contains a rubber gasket as a seal. Printed on the canister in black on a yellow background are the words 'INSECT REPELLENT Unscrew Cap at Sprinkler. Shake on to hand and apply to all areas of exposed skin. AVOID MOUTH, EYES AND FOREHEAD JUST ABOVE EYEBROWS. Apply at intervals of two hours. KEEP CAPS TIGHTLY SCREWED. DO NOT REFILL ABOVE THIS LINE' (with an arrow indicating the line). This painted label has worn off one canister, but traces of yellow paint remain. Both canisters are wrapped in a section of rifle pull-through, presumably to minimize noise, and held in a Pattern 1944 rubberised fabric wallet normally used to hold fishnet anti-mosquito hood, gloves and socks. Printed inside the pouch is 'R.G. CO. LTD. 1947 [broad arrow symbol]'.

These relate to the service of the Australian units which were attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade based at Bien Hoa in 1965, during the early period of Australia's involvement in Vietnam. The design and manufacture of much of the equipment used by Australian service personnel during this period was from the Second World War, and was quickly replaced upon being found unsuitable for operations in Vietnam.