Historical information

The supper cloth was brought to Australia and presented to the Shields family. Mary Ann Stebbing (nee Shields) then handed it on to her daughter Nancy Jean, who married Alfred Marshall in 1937. On Nancy's death, the cloth came into the possession of her daughter, Nolene Menz (nee Marshall).

Significance

This large cloth with its noteworthy hand stitching is an example of the range of textile memorabilia generated during World War 1. It links a local Buffalo River family to the 1914-18 conflict.

Physical description

Framed embroidered white linen cloth depicting a tribute to ANZAC soldiers by the women of Belgium, dated 1915. The tribute takes the form of an ANZAC soldier and words in the English language.

Inscriptions & markings

Accompanying the ANZAC soldier presenting arms are the centred words: "ANZAC 1915" "OUR HERO, WE'RE PROUD OF HIM". Around the border of the cloth it reads: "WE ARE PROUD OF AUSTRALIAN BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO NOBLY DID RESPOND TO THE FIGHT FOR KING AND COUNTRY. HONOUR ON US ALL AND TO AVENGE BRAVE BELGIANS WRONGS. GOD PROTECT THEM."