| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM01581 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Flag |
| Physical description | Wool |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia, United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
51 Battalion Head Quarters flag
Description
Rectangular woollen green flag sewn horizontal in the middle with white hoist to the left. Central is a sewn circular colour patch horizontally divided with brown surmounting grey. Centrally located is an embroidered rising sun with the King's Crown.
History / Summary
Flag flown at 51 Battalion Head Quarters in France and Belgium. The flag was flown from early December 1918 until the unit was disbanded in May 1919. The flag was made by Australian women in London, 1918. The 51st Battalion was raised in Egypt in the first week of March 1916, as part of the 'doubling' of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 11th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. The 51st Battalion fought on the Western Front as part of the 13th Brigade at Mouquet Farm, Noreuil, Messines, Broodseinde Ridge, Polygon Wood, Dernancourt and the battle of Villers- Bretonneux.