A Souvenir of The Great World War and The Glorious Part Played by Australia and New Zealand

Date1915-1918

Object number00029633

NameKerchief

MediumTextile, printed cotton fabric

DimensionsDisplay dimensions (Framed D fini): 660 × 895 mm
Overall: 450 × 595 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis souvenir patriotic kerchief has a central roundel showing the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and the caption 'The landing of our Gallant sons of empire on the Gallipoli Peninsula'. In each corner are tondos, each with a port and starboard view of HMAS SYDNEY (I) and SMS EMDEN inside; captions read 'The Scrap Heap' 'A view of the "Emden" after the fight with the "Sydney" off the Cocos Keeling islands'. Surrounding all of the pictures are ten flags of British allies.HistorySouvenirs featuring patriotic images were favourite purchases during and after World War I. Few families were spared a connection with the conflict as tens of thousands of men enlisted. As a memento of the war, scarves and cushion covers were popular gifts to loved ones and could be purchased as part of the war effort. This practice continued through to World War II but became a less popular form of commemoration and patriotism in following conflicts. This kerchif celebrates those fighting Australians, especially the victorious men onboard HMAS SYDNEY who defeated the crew of SMS EMDEN in 1914 off the Cocos Keeling Islands. It is also a strong expression of the ties Australia felt to Britain as a former colony. SignificanceThis kerchief is a memento of Australia’s pride in the men and events of WW1. The achievements at Gallipoli and of HMAS SYDNEYS victory over the EMDEN had become popular and significant events to the public in embodying both the despair and the pride that war had bought to the nation.