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UNIQUE WW2 2nd AIF R.A.E. service ephemera collection
$175
SHIPPING OFFERED
Offered for sale is this unique collection of 20th Century Australian WW2 military ephemera relating to the wartime service of 2nd AIF Sergeant Frederick (Fred) George Smith (Serial No. NX60694) when serving with the 2/15th Australian Field Company in the Middle East. Born in 1902, Fred enlisted on 9 July 1940 (at the age of 38 - considered the upper age range for enlistment - the cut-off had been raised to 40 years in 1940). The 15th Australian Field Company were formed at Sydney in November 1940, then posted to (what was then known as) Palestine for training at the Dimra Training Camp for (most likely) deployment against the Germans/Italians in the North Africa campaign. However the entry of Japan into the war during December 1941 saw the 15th returned to Australia in March 1942. From the intial rank of Sapper, fred eventually rose to the rank of Sergeant and trained as a bomb disposal expert in 1943. At end of WW2 he re-enlisted in the Australian ‘Interim Army’ and served until 1948.
The collection consists of a series of items:
• Two handmade mother-of-pearl ‘sweetheart’ badges. One is a custom Royal Australian Engineers badge, with ‘RAE’ surrounded by a crowned wreath (most likely made in Bethlehem or Jerusalem). The other is a British 4th/7th Dragoon Guards regimental pip badge (made in Bethlehem, engraved on reverse). An unusual item within this group - as this regiment was originally raised in India before redeployment to England in 1929. It saw action in France during 1940 before evacuation from Dunkirk; then returned for the D-Day landings. Post-WW2 it was deployed to Palestine from 1946-48, so the badge may relate to this time – however the connection with Fred’s service is unknown (or was it simply available for sale from a range of badges produced during 1941-42?).
• A 1940 Italian ‘Ala Littoria’ printed plastic year calendar/combination metric ruler (Ala Littoria was the national airline during its Facist regime), printed in Milan. Given the 2/15th did not see action in the Middle East, this must have been purchased/traded for by Fred as a ‘wartime souvenir’ (perhaps from a local market/souvenir shop, or sourced from another serviceman).
• Two paper Leave Passes. The first is a four-day pass, issued on 20 October 1941 and allowing travel to Beirut (the city had been captured three months earlier by the Allies). The second is a day-pass, issued on 5 March 1942 and permitting travel to Jerusalem (this was just before the 2/15th returned to Australia).
• A collection of papers, consisting of:
◦ A French ‘Minimax’ Format B wrapping paper. Despite research it’s been unable to determine what this came from.
◦ Two advertising flyers. One is for ‘Pinath Hanoar’, a souvenir shop in Tel Aviv (interestingly it was located near the Australian Comforts Fund cafe - noted as being utilised by Royal Australian Engineers). The second is for ‘Salon Luxe’ a barber shop in Beirut.
• Two paper-bags for the ABC Department Store, Beirut (open since 1936 this is the city’s oldest department store). The French translates to ‘8,000 items for daily use’.
• A folded paper bag, and the top of a letter written in Arabic.
A wonderful Australian social history/WW2 military collection.
All items have some patination and wear which confirms their authenticity as a genuine vintage items and not modern reproductions.
Please check the photos as they form part of the item description.
References:
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4610705&isAv=N
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th/7th_Royal_Dragoon_Guards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_Littoria
https://collectionswa.net.au/items/6ed9150b-1e48-464b-8362-3cfc40fc4377
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Comforts_Fund
Cash or direct deposit sale only. Cash or direct deposit sale only. Can freight at buyers expense (must include insurance for damage or loss) or can personally deliver to Macedon Ra
The collection consists of a series of items:
• Two handmade mother-of-pearl ‘sweetheart’ badges. One is a custom Royal Australian Engineers badge, with ‘RAE’ surrounded by a crowned wreath (most likely made in Bethlehem or Jerusalem). The other is a British 4th/7th Dragoon Guards regimental pip badge (made in Bethlehem, engraved on reverse). An unusual item within this group - as this regiment was originally raised in India before redeployment to England in 1929. It saw action in France during 1940 before evacuation from Dunkirk; then returned for the D-Day landings. Post-WW2 it was deployed to Palestine from 1946-48, so the badge may relate to this time – however the connection with Fred’s service is unknown (or was it simply available for sale from a range of badges produced during 1941-42?).
• A 1940 Italian ‘Ala Littoria’ printed plastic year calendar/combination metric ruler (Ala Littoria was the national airline during its Facist regime), printed in Milan. Given the 2/15th did not see action in the Middle East, this must have been purchased/traded for by Fred as a ‘wartime souvenir’ (perhaps from a local market/souvenir shop, or sourced from another serviceman).
• Two paper Leave Passes. The first is a four-day pass, issued on 20 October 1941 and allowing travel to Beirut (the city had been captured three months earlier by the Allies). The second is a day-pass, issued on 5 March 1942 and permitting travel to Jerusalem (this was just before the 2/15th returned to Australia).
• A collection of papers, consisting of:
◦ A French ‘Minimax’ Format B wrapping paper. Despite research it’s been unable to determine what this came from.
◦ Two advertising flyers. One is for ‘Pinath Hanoar’, a souvenir shop in Tel Aviv (interestingly it was located near the Australian Comforts Fund cafe - noted as being utilised by Royal Australian Engineers). The second is for ‘Salon Luxe’ a barber shop in Beirut.
• Two paper-bags for the ABC Department Store, Beirut (open since 1936 this is the city’s oldest department store). The French translates to ‘8,000 items for daily use’.
• A folded paper bag, and the top of a letter written in Arabic.
A wonderful Australian social history/WW2 military collection.
All items have some patination and wear which confirms their authenticity as a genuine vintage items and not modern reproductions.
Please check the photos as they form part of the item description.
References:
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4610705&isAv=N
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th/7th_Royal_Dragoon_Guards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_Littoria
https://collectionswa.net.au/items/6ed9150b-1e48-464b-8362-3cfc40fc4377
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Comforts_Fund
Cash or direct deposit sale only. Cash or direct deposit sale only. Can freight at buyers expense (must include insurance for damage or loss) or can personally deliver to Macedon Ra
- Date Listed:12/06/2023
- Last Edited:16/06/2023
- Condition:Used
- Shipping:Shipping & Pickup
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