RAAF First Aid Outfit for aircraft : Lieutenant J Burleigh, 2/2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Small khaki canvas shoulder bag, heavily stained from use, fitted with a pair of D rings on either side which secure a narrow (14 mm wide) shoulder strap. The bag is made with a main closing flap which is secured at the front with a sprung metal clip, while each side panel extends to a point where they can be snap fastened together over the top of the contents, under the main flap. The snap fastener is marked 'CARR AUSTRALIA'. The bag is divided internally into two pockets and contains an A4 sheet 'First Aid Instructions', an A4 list of contents in triplicate and a card entitled 'Royal Australian Air Force / FIRST-AID OUTFIT / Instructions for Use of Contents' (dated March 1941), plus a selection of dressings, brushes and a tourniquet. The dressings are all manufactured by Greenhalgh's Pty Ltd (Sydney Melbourne & Wellington, NZ) and include: 1 x compressed grey triangular bandages (two); 2 x compressed absorbent cotton wool, 1 ounce; 2 x compressed absorbent gauze, 36 inches x 2 1/2 yards; 1 x compressed absorbent plain (BPC) lint, 1 ounce; 1 x white open weave compressed bandage, 3 inches x 6 yards; 4 x small loose weave gauze packets; roll of adhesive plaster; 2 x camel hair brushes; 1 x empty bottle of DHA Tincture of Iodine BP; 1 x bottle of unidentified powder; one roughly cut rubber tourniquet, 770 mm long x 2 mm thick. Some of the bag stitching has worn from use, especially along the hem of the shoulder strap, and there are some field repairs evident.

Associated with the Second World War service of NX15773 Lieutenant John Burleigh. A printer by trade, Burleigh was born on 7 November 1917 at Ashfield, NSW and enlisted in the Second AIF on 20 May 1940. He had previously served with the 30th Battalion (New South Wales Scottish Regiment).

Embarking from Melbourne on 5 February 1941 Burleigh saw overseas service in the Middle East with 2/2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment until 17 February 1942 when he returned to Australia aboard HMAT Strathallan.
On 26 October 1942 Burleigh was posted to New Guinea where he served with 156 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery until 6 February 1944. Returning to Australia he remained there until the end of the war. Burleigh was transferred to the Australian Army Reserve (Reserve of Officers) on 15 February 1946.
This is an unusual, early version of the RAAF issue Aircraft First Aid Outfit not normally encountered and the contents relate mainly to the treatment of headaches, small cuts, abrasions and slight burns. The manufacturer of the bandages is Greenhalgh's of Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington, NZ. It is likely that Lieutenant Burleigh was issued this outfit for reasons of its size and convenience.