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Formation Sign - 2 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 2 Division sign was the numeral 2 within a 9 point rising sun.

Historical information

sophisticated following the mass production and mechanization of armies.
The division was first formed in Egypt in July 1915 during World War I as part of the First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF). The division took part in the Gallipoli campaign, arriving in the latter stages and then traversed to the Western Front in France and Belgium where it had the distinction of taking part in the final ground action fought by Australian troops in the war. After the war ended and the AIF was demobilised, the 2nd Division name was revived and assigned to a Citizens Military Forces (reserve) unit in 1921.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-702

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 the mass production and mechanization of armies.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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