| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL31724 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cotton |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1914-1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Patriotic embroidery with Scotsman : Mackellar family
Description
Rectangular piece of cotton embroidered in the centre with a Scottish soldier. He stands on a green base in front of crossed British and Australian flags. The top of the flag poles are decorated with tassles of embroidery cotton. On one side of the soldier are the pencilled numerals '72' and on the other side '78'.
History / Summary
The origins of this piece of embroidery are unknown. However, it was brought to Australia in the effects of Sister Frances Mary (Fay) Mackellar, Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), or her brother Private Robin Mackellar, 28 Battalion. Sister Mackellar initially enlisted in the AANS on 26 December 1916 and then joined the Army Nursing Service, India on 19 May 1917. She arrived in Bombay in June 1917 and served in India until November 1918. She then served in a number of medical establishments in the United Kingdom until her return to Australia and discharge on 22 March 1920. Private Robin Mackellar, a pearler from Broome, enlisted in the AIF on 30 December 1915 and served on the Western Front with 28 Battalion. He was killed in action at Pozieres on 29 July 1916.