| Place | Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01449.006 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Sydney Morning Herald And Sydney Mail |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Sydney, NSW. 1939-03-08. Men of the Darwin Mobile Force drawn up in full ceremonial dress in ...
Description
Sydney, NSW. 1939-03-08. Men of the Darwin Mobile Force drawn up in full ceremonial dress in Martin Place as Major A.B. (Bandy) MacDonald lays a wreath on the cenotaph. This unit was the first permanent military force raised in Australia, except during time of war, and comprised 90 infantry, supported by four 18 pounder field guns, four 3 inch mortars, four Vickers .303 inch medium machine guns and some elements of pioneers, signals and intelligence. The physical criteria for enlistment into this unit were more stringent than usual. Note the tropical capes worn by the troops. These capes, referred to by the troops as "Mandrake" capes, were unique to the Darwin Mobile Force.