This hat was sent home to Laanecoorie, from Malaya, in 1941 by Driver Cyril John Johnson VX36298, 1 Coy A.A.S.C whilst a POW. Cyril enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 17.6.1940 age 22 years 2 months. Posted to 8th Div Petrol Coy Seymour 25.7.1940, hospital 12.8.1940 with Mumps, rejoin unit 31.8.1940, embark for overseas 2.2.1941, disembark Singapore 19.2.1941. He is listed as missing on 16.2.1942 and later listed as POW in a Thai Camp no date. (He was on the Burma Railway) Last entry on his records states Presumed to be dead 12.9.1944 SWPA. (South West Pacific Area) He with hundreds of others were on the Japanese prison ship Rakuyo Maru to Japan when it was sunk by an American submarine. The hand written signatures on the hat include high ranking AIF Officers, major local Officials and dozens of 8th Division AIF soldiers. British pattern Pith Helmet, khaki coloured cotton cloth with brown leather strap over the top. Large quantity of hand written names on top. Inside rim has green felt lining. Dome section is plaited red silk with manufacturer's label at crest. Hat band is brown leather.On top written in pen & ink: Many army numbers & names of soldiers and some dignitaries.. On top written in ink: To Dad etc from Cyril.military equipment - army, costume - male headwear

Illustrated book. Front cover has a painting by Cynthia Breusch depicting two female figures carrying a container hanging from a pole on their shoulders. Behind them is a barbwire topped fence. The book title is printed over this painting in red and white ink. The author's name is printed in white below the title, and the publisher's mark is printed in black above the title. The Spine is cream in colour, with abbreviated title printed in red, author's surname and publishers mark printed in black. The back cover has a cream background, with quotes from two nurses and a summary of the book overprinted in blacknon-fictionExperiences of Australian Army nurses who were prisoners of the Japanese during World War twoworld war 1939-1945, australian army nurses, prisoners of war, military nursing, nurses