RMS ARAWA felt pennant
Maker
Shaw Savill & Albion Line
(British, founded 1882)
Date1954
Object number00040529
NamePennant
MediumFelt
Dimensions230 x 475 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Peter Horne
DescriptionThis souvenir black felt pennant was awarded to a passenger on board RMS ARAWA as a prize for a competition. RMS ARAWA was a cargo and passenger ship that was converted to an armed merchant cruiser during World War II. It was then used to repatriate prisoners of war.HistoryMany Australian World War II prisoners-of-war, including soldiers of the 8th Division, were repatriated to Australia from Singapore on the Shaw Savill & Albion liner ARAWA.
It had been built in 1922 as the ESPERANCE BAY for the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line and was transferred in 1936. During World War II ARAWA was converted to an armed merchant cruiser. This pennant dates to the ARAWA's last voyage in 1954 when the donor was a passenger. The ship was scrapped the following year. Pennants such as this one were awarded as prizes on board for competitions including games, quizzes and dancing.SignificanceThis is an example of the type of awards given as prizes for on board competitions including games, quizzes and dancing. This pennant is a memento of a passenger’s trip and a tribute to the ship's wartime service.
