Places | |
---|---|
Accession Number | REL26818.001 |
Collection type | Heraldry |
Object type | Heraldry |
Physical description | Cotton; Hemp |
Maker |
Unknown |
Place made | United Kingdom |
Date made | c August 1918 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Message streamer : Royal Air Force
Red, white and blue fabric message streamer. The two 'tails' are comprised of equal-length sections of fabric sewn together in a streamer. The fabric in the tail sections alternate between a hemp-like material and calico. There is a white calico pocket at one end for holding a lead weight and a message.
This streamer was used by a Royal Air Force RE8 aircraft ('No.14') to drop a message (see REL26818.002) to 1 Division Headquarters at 6.50am on 23 August 1918. 1 Australian Division was at this time enaged in a successful attack, supported by tanks, south of the Somme river in the area Chuignolles - Foucaucourt. The message and streamer were collected and brought to Australia by 3556 Corporal Kenneth Reginald Richards of Headquarters staff, 1 Australian Division. Richards enlisted in 1 Pioneer Battalion on 12 April 1915. He served in France and was transferred to headquarters duties in August 1917. He embarked for return to Australia on 12 April 1919.