Japanese flag, with autographs in Chinese, captured in New Guinea

Japanese national flag with separately sewn in hinomaru (red disc). There are numerous autographs written in black ink as well as printed red seals. These are all written in Chinese. The signatures in a radial pattern around the hinomaru are all by students of Yaoguantun Primary School. There are additional signatures by a chief of police and a schools inspector. The seals are those of these last two individuals and of the primary school itself. The flag appears to have been presented either to a Chinese national working for the Japanese army or to a teacher of Japanese at the school.

Souvenired by NX169542 Corporal Reginald Frederick Sheather while serving with 2/4 Infantry Battalion in New Guinea. Sheather was born at Summer Hill, NSW in February 1920. He enlisted on 24 May 1943 and was discharged on 31 March 1945.

• Autographed good luck flag carried by Japanese soldier Kawashima Minoru : Madang, New Guinea