| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL23811 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Headdress |
| Physical description | Khaki cloth |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 2: Fall Sing |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | pre 9 December 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Lining fabric from a sun helmet : Able Seaman Donald Rex Pullen, HMAS Armidale
Description
A piece of sun helmet liner in the shape of a skull cap. Has written on it in black ink 'GOOD LUCK P.O. J. I. NICOL / DROPPED BY 13 Flight Bomber on Dec 9th 1942 to survivors in whaller [sic] 150 miles from DARWIN. Returned with appreciation & thanks by A/B DR. Pullen PM 4102 survivor HMAS ARMIDALE'.
History / Summary
This good luck note was written on the lining of a sun helmet owned by Petty Officer James Innes Nicol, based near Darwin. He donated the item following a general call for suitable clothing to be dropped by aircraft to survivors from the sinking of HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942. The survivors had been trying to reach safety in the ship’s damaged whaler for more than a week before being found. The helmet was dropped with other supplies from a RAAF bomber on 9 December, around three hours before the 29 men were rescued by HMAS Kalgoorlie. One of the survivors, Able Seaman Donald Pullen later returned the sun helmet to its original owner.
During the attack on the Armidale, Ordinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheean was killed manning an anti-aircraft gun while firing on enemy aircraft strafing men in the water. Originally Mentioned in Despatches, he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for Australia in 2020.