In remembrance of my trip to the Orient. British Commonwealth Forces. Occupation in Japan

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In remembrance of my trip to the Orient. British Commonwealth Forces. Occupation in Japan

Date1946-1952

Object number00027626

NameEmbroidery

MediumLong stitch embroidery work on a white silk background, foil.

DimensionsOverall: 455 x 380 mm, 2 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsDecorative and folk art

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionSilk long stitch embroidery work by a member of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force as a souvenir of their time during the Occupation of Japan after WWII. The Allied occupation of Japan lasted from 1946 to 1952. The original force included troops from Britain, India, New Zealand and Australia. By 1948 however Australia was the only country still representing the Commonwealth in Japan, supporting the United States.HistoryThe British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) shared in the military occupation of Japan from 13 February 1946 through to 28 April 1952. Its objective was to enforce the terms of the unconditional surrender brokered at the end of World War II. BCOF was originally composed of 45 000 troops from four Commonwealth countries (Britain, India, New Zealand and Australia) including an Australia contingent of about 16,000 troops. At its peak, the Australian contingent was responsible for 57,000 square kilometres of country and twenty million Japanese citizens. In late 1948 Australia was the only country still representing the Commonwealth in Japan, alongside the United States, and by early 1949 the BCOF had begun to decline. The Force was dismantled in 1952 when the Japanese Peace Treaty came into effect. SignificanceThis is representative of the memorabilia produced for American and Allied personnel stationed in Japan after WWII.