Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Formation Sign - Australian Mounted Division (World War 1)

« Prev Item Next Item »

Overview

Each Corps and 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 Australian Mounted Division sign was a kangaroo in white on a black background.

Historical information

The Australian Mounted Division originally formed as the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917, was a mounted infantry, light horse and yeomanry division. The division was formed in Egypt, and along with the Anzac Mounted Division formed part of Desert Column, Egyptian Expeditionary Force in World War I. The division was originally made up of the Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade, (formerly Anzac Mounted Division) the reconstituted 4th Light Horse Brigade, and two British yeomanry brigades; the 5th Mounted Brigade and 6th Mounted Brigade. In late 1918 the light horsemen took part in an offensive that devastated several Ottoman armies, and by early October had occupied the Syrian capital of Damascus.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-709

Inscriptions and markings

During World War 1, Australian Corps and 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, During World War 1, numbered corps utilised Roman numerals. In World War 2, Australian Corps used Arabic numerals.

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

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback