| Place | Oceania: Pacific Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, Wide Bay Area, Kiep, Tol |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL23942 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Trench Art |
| Physical description | Foodstuffs |
| Maker |
Robertson, Victor John |
| Place made | Pacific Islands: Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, Wide Bay Area, Kiep, Tol |
| Date made | December 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Christmas Card made from a biscuit with box : Captain D K Hanson, 1 Australian War Graves Unit
Description
A small painted biscuit on which one side is painted an island scene in colour. The other side is painted gold and in black are painted the words 'GOOD LUCK TO YOU / FROM US AT"TOL" / WE'RE SENDING THIS / (WE'LL RISK IT) / XMAS CARDS ARE VERY / SCARCE SO WE / WROTE IT ON A BISCUIT'. The biscuit is with its original box, lid and packing. Handwritten in ink on the box lid is, 'VX114226 captain D K HANSEN'. Stamped below this in ink is, '1 AUSTRALIAN WAR GRAVES UNIT'.
History / Summary
This biscuit was sent home from Tol Plantation near Rabaul by VX114226 Captain David Keith Hanson of 1 Australian War Graves. It was one of nine painted for each unit member by W63514 Corporal Victor John Robertson, a signwriter from Western Australia. The unit was involved in locating the remains and creating a cemetery for the approximately 160 Australians massacred by the Japanese at the site in February 1942.