| Place | Oceania: New Guinea1, Papua New Guinea, Papua, Milne Bay |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM32830 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Linen |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | c 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Hand towel : Japanese Landing Force at Milne Bay
Description
Rectangular linen hand towel printed in the centre with the insignia of an anchor with double chevron markings on either side. A small box to the side is printed with the characters for 'Name' and 'Group' with a blank space next to them for the owner to fill in.
History / Summary
This hand towel, which belonged to a member of the Japanese Naval landing force, was collected at Milne Bay by QX6868 Robert Henry Ferguson in early September 1942. Ferguson was born in Melbourne in April 1914 and enlisted in the army from Brisbane on 4 June 1940. He served with 2/9 Battalion and took part in the fighting at Milne Bay in late August and early September 1942. He was discharged from the Australian New Guinea Administration Unit with the rank of Lieutenant on 9 November 1945. Film of this flag appears in AWM F01216 at 01:08:07