Militaria

Lot 3400    SESSION 12 (11.30AM THURSDAY 1ST AUGUST)    Militaria

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

1 RAR ALPHA COMPANY FLAG, 1948-53, the flag (approx 152x82cm) with the Royal Australian Regiment badge (QC) at upper left corner and large letter A in centre, the first Queen's crown issue of the flag after the first issue (1948-53) with King's crown. Some small loss of material on the hoist and a few other spots, otherwise good fine and rare.

See first issue (KC) flag ex Noble Numismatics Sale 118 (lot 4686).

After WWII Australia was committed to provide troops for occupation duties in Japan. This led to the formation of the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade to consist of the 65th, 66th and 67th Australian Infantry Battalions. The 65th Battalion was formed on 12 October 1945 from the 7th Division out of Balikpapan and it then sailed to Morotai to undergo training prior to joining the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan. Battalions were re-designated on 23 November 1948 and the 65th Battalion was renamed 1st Battalion, Australian Regiment and on 31 March 1949 following approval to use the 'Royal' prefix was announced on 10 March 1949 it was renamed 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

The RAR badge on the flag was designed by Sgt E.J.O'Sullivan of 1RAR Intelligence Section and the motto was suggested by Maj K.B.Thomas MC of 1RAR. The badge was originally only intended to be worn by 1RAR but became the standard badge for all RAR units. It was used for Christmas cards in 1949 but did not replace the Rising Sun hat badge until early 1954.