Unofficial Imperial Camel Corps hat badge, c. 1916

Historical note:

Australians were a vital part of the Imperial Camel Corps (ICC) during the Great War. Raised in Egypt in 1916 to defend the Suez Canal, the ICC included three battalions of Australians. Seeing themselves as elite soldiers in a special purpose unit, Australians within the ICC commissioned themselves an unofficial badge. Sand-cast in Egypt by local artisans, this unique emblem replaced the AIF general service or ‘Rising Sun’ badge worn on their hats and at the collar of their tunics .

Made of oxidised brass, the design of the badge uses the rays of the sun above the scroll AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES. In place of the Royal Crown of the general service badge, this badge is embossed with walking camel.

Materials:

oxidised brass

Category:

Souvenirs and ephemera

Conflict:

First World War (1914-18)

Location:

Egypt

Production Date:

c. 1916

On this day

3 June

1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors. American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men

1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot

1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea. EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed