Furoshiki : Private C G Le Claire, 2/3 Australian Infantry Battalion

Place Oceania: New Guinea1
Accession Number REL38718
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Rayon
Maker Unknown
Place made Japan
Date made c 1939
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Rayon cloth with a crimson circle central painted in ink representing a Hinomaru. The Hinomaru appears to have been added at a later date as the Japanese characters are underneath and also radiate from it. Traditionaly the Hinomaru is not meant to be written on. The rayon is brown in colour due to its age, the cloth is heavily stained with rust and there is evidence of mildew. There is also several holes in the cloth.

History / Summary

Clifford George Le Claire was born in Armaton, NSW on 13 January 1920. He was a labourer when he enlisted in July 1941 at Paddington NSW. After training, Le Claire joined 2/3 Battalion, 12 Platoon as part of the 16 Brigade of the 6 Australian Division on the 12 February 1942. He saw action in the Middle East and Ceylon (present day Sri-Lanka) before disembarking at New Guinea in December 1944 to take part in the Aitape-Wewak Campaign. This campaign took place in Northern New Guinea and its main objective was to defend the base facilities at Aitape and advance to the east towards Wewak to attack the remnants of the Japanese 18th Army. It was from this campaign that Le Claire received this 'Furoshiki' or Japanese wrapping cloth on 26 June 1945. These cloths were used by Japanese troops for wrapping personal items such as food or equipment. This cloth was souvenired by a Native Scout who found it in a Japanese bunker. He gave the cloth to Le Claire for helping his mother who had a fall during this action. The Furoshiki has the date 22 November 1939 in Japanese script and also 'Osaka Army Hospital 3 Barracks Kanaoka' and 'From the comrades who fought together' written underneath the Hinomaru. To the left is written 'flower in the country side'; 'falling 7 times but getting up 8 times'; ' Try to forget you but I still long for you, need to be severed, your arm under my head gets in the way'. It is thought that the Japanese solder who originally owned the Furoshiki served two tours of duty and the Hinomaru was added after the first tour. Le Claire was discharged on the 6 June 1946.

Related information