Geake Message Rocket whistle unit : Company Quarter Master Sergeant Thomas Nicholls Suckling, 5 Divisional Signal Company, AIF

Hollow brass cylinder with three square cut-outs around the middle section and reinforcing stamping adjacent. A separate conical section with an open nose is sealed to the top of the cylinder; this bears a fixed circular brass plate with three evenly spaced holes and three closely spaced holes around the circumference. A U-shaped axle support is mounted under this plate, bearing a vertical axle on which is mounted a smaller steel circular disc with five ovaloid cutouts around its circumference. This smaller disc rotates freely under the fixed plate. The passage of air through the cylinder rotates the plate while at the same time producing a low but rising whirring sound through the pattern of fixed and rotating holes.

Geake signalling rocket whistle unit salvaged by Thomas Nicholls Suckling, born Caulfield, Victoria, an unmarried umbrella manufacturer of South Yarra, who enlisted at Melbourne on 16 June 1915, aged 20. Suckling noted on his attestation form that he had immediate previous experience with the Signal Engineers, serving at Victoria Barracks with 19 Engineers Signal Troop. Assigned the service number 3682, he attended signals schools in September and October before embarking from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ceramic on 23 November 1915, with the Second Divisional Signal Company.

After arrival in Egypt, Sapper Suckling was transferred to 5 Divisional Signal Company on 9 March 1916 soon after its formation at Tel-el-Kebir. He transferred to France with his unit in June. The Company took over from 4 Divisional Signal Company at Sailly on 9 July and supported the failed Australian attack at Fromelles. From mid August to the start of October, Suckling was hospitalised with a middle ear infection and returned to his unit, via the Signals Depot in Abbeville, on 15 December 1916, when his unit was in the line at Bernafay Wood, just south of Delville Wood and Longeuval.

From 1 until 18 January 1917 the unit was resting at Vignacourt where they undertook further training and established signals schools based on their experiences of the 1916 campaigns; they then returned to the positions at Bernafay. In March the Germans conducted a planned retreat to better defended ground and the Division advanced accordingly - 1 Divisional Signals relieved them on 7 April.

Suckling was appointed Lance Corporal on 1 May 1917 just before the Division's move to Belgium, where operations were concentrated for the remainder of the year. With the threat of the German March Offensive in 1918, 5 Division was moved back to the Somme region of France where it supported infantry and artillery halting the German advance. Suckling was promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant on 1 July 1918, when the Division was supporting operations in the Heilly - Buire region.

The 8 August Campaign was spearheaded from this region, and the signallers had to adapt to a suddenly mobile war. CQSM Suckling was actively involved in the offensive, then took leave in England between 21 August to 7 September before returning to his unit. It was during his involvement in operations against the Hindenburg Line (often in co-operation with American units) that Suckling's work received attention. He was recommended for a Meritorious Service Medal under the following circumstances: 'CQMS Suckling has, during the period 17 September to 31 December 1918, served with his unit in the capacity of to Company Quarter Master Sergeant. During that period he has controlled the supply and demand of all technical signal stores throughout the Division. At all times his organising and administrative ability have been of great value during operations. He did particularly good work during the latter part of September 1918, in the reorganising of the signal equipment of the Division after the operations of August and September, and continued this work during the operations at Bellicourt from 29 September to 3 October. His unswerving devotion to duty has been an excellent example to all ranks and this, together with his valuable service is deserving of special recognition.'

He remained in France with his unit until May 1919, when he crossed to England and finally embarked for Australia aboard the transport Demosthenes on 26 July 1919. Suckling was discharged on 6 November 1919.