| Place | Asia: Japan, Hiroshima |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/21011.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Glass, Paint, Steel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | August 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 British Commonwealth Occupation Force, 1946-1952 (Japan) |
Damaged clock, atomic blast Hiroshima: Elsie May Rayner
Description
Damaged crystal alarm clock, originally with a moulded glass, Lalique style Art Deco type body and a 2 inch German movement.
History / Summary
This clock was owned by Elsie May Rayner. The damage to this item was caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. The temperature of the blast, which reached up to 6,000 degrees Celsius, melted the glass surrounding the clock.
In the Allied occupation which followed the Second World War, Australians served as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) from February 1946 until the treaty in 1951 to assist with the demilitarisation and democratisation of Japan. Australian forces worked within the Hiroshima prefecture and day trips to the site were a common occurrence. With no understanding of the dangers of radiation in the area, Australians collected or purchased damaged items from the site as souvenirs to take home.
NF463879 Private Elsie Rayner had served in the Australian Women’s Army Service during the Second World War and was discharged in November 1945, so did not serve in Japan and it appears she was given this item by someone who served with BCOF. Or she, or someone she knew, travelled to Japan post war.