Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Second World War Kiwi Khaki Cleaner

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Kiwi Polish Co. Pty. Ltd.

c. 1939 - 1945

Overview

Cardboard cylindrical container with perforated lid at the top and a recessed metal base. The cylinder features four (4) bands beginning with a beige background followed by green, beige and brown. There are two (2) images of a Kiwi: one green on a beige background and one beige on a green background placed around the cylinder. Printed text appears on the other bands.

Historical information

The Kiwi Polish Company was opened by William Ramsay and Hamilton McKellan in Carlton, Victoria in 1901. It offered a range of household cleaners and shoe polishes and in 1906 Ramsay perfected a new polish named Kiwi. Kiwi Khaki Cleaner was supplied to the Australian Army in the Second World War.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2025.4.1

Item type

Uniforms

Themes

Defence > Army
War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Cardboard

Metal

Plastic

Width

43 mm

Height or length

95 mm

Weight

57 g

Inscriptions and markings

“KIWI / KHAKI / CLEANER / Complies with official / colour standard of / DEPT. OF ARMY / for the renovation of Military Webbing Equipment. / Made in Australia / by the / KIWI POLISH CO. / Pty Ltd / Richmond, Victoria. / DIRECTIONS / (For best results follow carefully) / Scrub the surface of the article thoroughly, using / plenty of water. Wipe off excess moisture. / Sprinkle the powder lightly on the damp surface / and spread evenly with the moist brush. Allow too / dry and brush lightly before using. / KIWI KHAKI CLEANER contains special ingredients / for SHOWER PROOFING your Webbing Equipment.”

Contextual Information

The cleaner was issued to and collected by Corporal Edward MINARD (WX11441), an Albany resident who served in the Second World War. Minard enlisted in the 2nd/AIF on 5 April 1941 and embarked Fremantle for service in the Middle east. On his return to Australia, he served in the 10th Garrison Battalion in the Murchison region and was discharged on 24 January 1945.

Keywords

Military equipment/kit

Second World War

Australian Army

Place made

Victoria, Australia

Year

c. 1939 - 1945

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria