Historical information

The poem "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" was written by H. (Bert) Beros and published in the Courier Mail (Brisbane) on 31
October 1942.This poem gained popularity and was widely read and then published privately by Beros running to several editions. The bookmark produced in 1943 is an example of how revered and popular in the Australian public mind the New Guinea natives became.

Significance

This bookmark is significant in its association with the popular legend of the loyalty and self sacrifice of the New Guinea natives popularly termed Fuzzy Wuzzy. with the added sobriquet of Angels, in their support of the Australians in New Guinea in World War II without which Australia may not have been able to halt the Japanese advance.

Physical description

Painted figure of New Guinea native on felt marker with caption and date 1943

Inscriptions & markings

Fuzzy Wuzzy of New Guinea 1943 colour printed on brown felt