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Formation Sign - 4 Australian Division (World War 1)

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Overview

Each Division of the Australian Imperial had a divisional sign. This was a distinct design and not the same as the shoulder flash placed on uniforms. It could be used to mark equipment or supplies intended for a specific unit. The 4 Division sign was the numeral 4 within a 9 point rising sun.

Historical information

The 4th Division was raised as part of the "Doubling of the AIF" that took place in Egypt in February / March of 1916. It was to comprise the 4th Brigade transferred from the ANZAC Division, and two new Brigades, the 12th and 13th, created by splitting the Battalions of the 4th and 3rd Brigades respectively. From Egypt the division was sent to France, where it took part in the fighting on the Western Front during 1916–1918. After the war ended, the AIF was demobilised and the division was dissolved.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-704

Inscriptions and markings

During World War 1, Division formation signs were based on a rising sun design although the number of points varied between 9 and 13 This design was based on a trophy of arms which also led to the creation of the rising sun cap badge,

Contextual Information

The marking of military equipment is not a new phenomena. A broad arrow, is a stylised representation of a metal arrowhead, comprising a tang and two barbs meeting at a point. It is a symbol used traditionally in heraldry, and later by the British government to mark government property.
The broad arrow was used in England from the early 14th century, and more widely from the 16th century, to mark objects purchased from the monarch's money, or to indicate government property. It became particularly associated with the Board of Ordnance, and later the War Department and the Ministry of Defence. It was exported to other parts of the British Empire, where it was used in similar official contexts.
The use of markings on Australian military vehicles expanded and became more sophisticated following mass production and the mechanization of armies.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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