Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Engraved Japanese Water Bottle

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1942

Overview

Second World War Imperial Japanese Navy aluminum water bottle with cork lid attached by a leather cord. It has engraved markings on all sides.

Historical information

The water bottle has been decorated with hand engravings done by Private Robert George Staunton RENNIE WX7492 who enlisted in Claremont, Western Australia on 6th August 1940 and was part of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion. He saw action throughout New Guinea and Java being part of “Blackforce” D’ Force Thailand, Java Party No. 6, P Platoon, where he became a Prisoner of War (POW) in March 1942 with number 12210. Whilst a POW he decorated this water bottle with thoughts of home and scenes of Java; this became a common past time with prisoners at night.
Whilst at Tamarkan Camp, Rennie had his right leg amputated at the thigh due to a tropical ulcer. He died post operation on the 4th October 1943 and is buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. He was 37 years old and was survived by wife Rita and five children.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2019.1.45

Item type

Material

Width

145 mm

Height or length

240 mm

Depth

75 mm

Themes

People

Social History

War and Conflict

Inscriptions and markings

Depicted on the front is "AIF Java 1942" along with the Australian crest featuring Kangaroo and Emu with "Advance Australia" below. There is also the “R.G.S. RENNIE WX7493” located below the crest. On reverse is depicted a Batik dancer on stage with open curtains whilst on each side of the bottle there are palm trees and birds in the sky.

Contextual Information

A superb object showing creativity whilst in times of hardship as a Prisoner of War (POW). This object is part of the RSL Albany Sub-branch collection which is now housed at the museum.

Keywords

Place made

Indonesia

Year

1942

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance