| Accession Number | REL22160 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Metal |
| Place made | Somalia |
| Date made | c 1992 |
| Conflict |
Somalia, 1992-1995 |
Improvised washing machine : Corporals P Chalker (RAEME) and C Hughes (1 RAR), UNITAF
Description
Steel cable reel converted into a washing machine, with hand operation via the original reel handle. Consists of reel mounted on base stand with handle through armature. A steel ammunition box marked "000 5.56MM BALL F1 UN0012 IN A BAR" is welded to an opening cut in reel. The box lid is missing. The ID plate on the base frame reads "Hannay Reels Model No. C-3220-24-26 15 1/2 RT" etc with Canadian patents. Written in black marker around reel is "THIS BELONGS TO WO2 KLIMA NOT A COY B COY C COY D COY 95 BSG MOGADISHU OR ANY OTHER BASTARD SO PISS OFF AND MAKE YOUR OWN BECAUSE IF YOU TAKE THIS ONE I WILL FIND YOU". Painted overall olive green.
History / Summary
Small, improvised washing machine designed by Corporal 'Chad' Hughes (Support Company, 1 RAR Battalion Group) and constructed and modified by Corporal Peter Chalker (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) at Baidoa, Somalia during the Australian peacekeeping operation, Operation Solace, during 1992-93. The potential of the design was noted by Warrant Officer Class 2 Richard Klima, 1 RAR Support Company's Sergeant Major, whose name appears in black marker on the reel.