Militaria

Lot 3744    Session 13 (2.30pm Thursday 22nd November)    Militaria

Estimate $300
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $800

FRENCH TRICOLOUR FLAG, captured from Vichy French Forces in Lebanon, on the back of the white centre stripe is printed at the top in ink, 'TAKEN FROM VICHY FRENCH JULY 1941/BEIROUTH' and below are the signatures of 36 members of an Australian Army platoon, one of these is C.G.Roussy VX19357. The Tricolour of blue, white and red stripes is badly faded, some spotty marks and age toning, a few spots with loss of material and a small 3cm split and breaks on left edge, all signatures clear, otherwise very fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 104 (lot 3660).

VX19357 Charles George Roussy, born 03Sep1906 at Beechworth, Vic; Enl. 10Jun1940 at Caulfield, Vic; Disch.22Dec1943 as Private ex 2/11 Field Ambulance.

An unattributed printed note with the flag states, 'This French Tricolour (now badly faded) flew over the Vichy French Barracks in Beirut when the City fell to the Allied Forces in World War II. I managed to obtain it and had it signed by the members of my Platoon. Most people today do not realise Syria and Lebanon were, until invaded by Australian, British and Free French Forces in 1941, French possessions.'