Historical information

Item is an essential item of kit that is carried by a soldier to provide immediate first aid to a personal injury sustained in battle of to render first aid to a fellow combatant

Significance

Item was part of first aid equipment that all soldier carried when on active war like duties in WWII.

Physical description

First Field Dressing unpacked from original container. Bandage in waterproof package with safety pin in waterproof wrapping attached by cotton thread. Red arrow diagonally across package indicating where to open. Missing safety pin.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed on waterproof wrapping. FIRST FIELD DRESSING/ Tear apart the uncemented corner as indicated / by the arrow and remove the paper. / take the folded ends of the bandage in each / hand and keeping the bandage taut, apply the / gauze pad to the wound and fix the bandage. In the case of head wounds when respirators have / to be worn, care should be taken to adjust the pad / so that it does not interfere with the fit of the face / piece. / DO NOT HANDLE THE GAUZE OR WOUND/ Johnson & Johnson / Pty. Ltd Sydney/ October 1942 / a red arrow drawn diagonally over top of printed instructed pointing to where to open the bandage. On the reverse is hand written "Lent by Lance Flynn"