Cribbage Board : Signalman W J McPherson, 2/20 Battalion

Places
Accession Number REL29050
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Wood; Aluminium; Plastic
Maker Unknown
Place made Malaya
Date made c 1941-1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Handmade aluminium cribbage board with four panels of punched out holes for the pegs, grouped in three sets of ten holes for each panel. The board is hand engraved with a thatched hut, palm trees and sailing boats on a harbour, and with 'A.I.F. MALAYA 2/20TH INF BATT W.J. McPHERSON NX58020'. There is a representation of a the colour patch of 2/20 Battalion in the centre of the board. The grey oval background of the patch is represented by closely engraved lines, while the green and white diamond in the centre is made from clear perspex overlaid on a piece of paper. The upper half of the paper diamond has been coloured in with green pencil and the lower have has been left plain. The board is attached to a wooden back by two nails placed at the upper left and lower right corners.

History / Summary

This board is associated by NX58020 Signalman William Thomas McPherson of 2/20 Battalion. Born in 1914, McPherson enlisted in July 1940, and was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese in 1942. After his return to Australia he was discharged in April 1947. The board is likely to have been made for him in Changi by a small 'factory' that made a variety of games for fellow prisoners utilising wood, and aluminium and plastic from wrecked Japanese aircraft. The game boards were often custom-made to include the user's name and unit. Note that McPherson has been given the wrong initials 'W J', instead of 'W T' on the board.