Orders, Decorations & Medals - Militaria

Lot 5119    Session 18 (2.30pm Friday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Militaria

Estimate $750
Bid at live.noble.com.au

THE KANGAROO OUT OF HIS ELEMENT, The Representative Newspaper of the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force (1st Battalion), published on board the Troopship "Afric" - first issue, October 1914, six columns spread across a cotton tabby weave fabric page (57x43.5cm) printed in black ink with a central image of King George V and Queen Mary, also an official section 'For the Announcements of the Battalion Commander Lieut.-Col. Dobbin', at bottom right corner, Printed by Walter Wade for the Expedi-/tionary Force on board the Troopship/"Afric", a collection of humorous tales and anecdotes. Ink faded, as to be expected, fold marks and some staining, otherwise fine and very rare first edition.

In the first column is written,

'The Kangaroo claims to be among the first class of newspapers printed and published on board a ship. Therefore, in taking the first leap along the deck of A19, otherwise known as the White Star Australian liner Afric, a line or two to justify its foundation and existence should be ample.

This is the first occasion of such a wholesale exodus from Wattleville, and The Kangaroo Proprietary, realizing the countless combinations of the English Alphabet, considered the event should be marked by the daily publication of a newspaper for the benefit of the officers and men who voluntarily took the step. This applies in no less degree to the master, officers and crew of A19, in whose care, fatherly and motherly, all of us are to an extent and for the time being placed.'

HMAT A19 Afric was a twelve thousand ton troop transport ship that embarked from Sydney carrying units of the 1st Australian Division, including the 1st Battalion Infantry, Army Service Corps and Engineers. It was one of the first fleet of eleven ships, the 1st Australian Expeditionary Force that sailed to Albany in Western Australia to meet up with the New Zealand Fleet.

The printer of The Kangaroo newspaper was Walter Wade (service no.196), age 23, journalist, born at Waterford, Ireland. He enlisted on 04Sep1914 at Kensington, NSW, was assigned to 1st Bn and embarked 18Oct1914. Shortly after arriving in the Middle East, Wade deserted from Mena Camp, Egypt on 12Dec1914. This was confirmed following a Court of Inquiry convened at Mena Camp on 04Jan1915 by order of Lt-Col. L.Dobbin, CO of 1st Bn.

Pte H.G.Monk gave evidence at the inquiry and part of this evidence was as follows, 'At about 11.30 a.m. on Saturday 12th December 1914 I left Mena Camp in the company of Pte Wade and proceeded to Cairo and at about 2.30 p.m. we went to the Railway Station in search of a printing press the property of Wade. In conversation with Wade the latter stated that he was tired of the Force and wished to leave it.'

As a result of his desertion, Wade forfeited all right to any war medals.

Note: A similar item, but with several small holes, sold on 21 May 2002 at Lawsons Auction Sale 3529 (lot 132) for $450.