| Place | Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Bolton's Ridge, Poppy Valley, Chatham's Post |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM00337 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Tin |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Entry Corridor: Trench Signs 2 |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli |
| Date made | 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Improvised metal trench sign 'D9B' : Chatham's Post, Gallipoli
Description
Improvised rectangular metal trench sign made from a kerosene or food tin. 'D9B' is roughly cut out of the metal in the style of stencilled letters and numbers. The corners have been cut diagonally and there is a hole in each top corner to attach the sign.
History / Summary
This sign was found on 1 March 1919 by the Australian Historical Mission in a sap near Chatham's Post, one of the most southerly positions at Anzac.
Chatham's Post was established in June 1915 when Lieutenant William Chatham of the 5th Light Horse Regiment led a party of 20 men to cover a working party of 200 men from the 6th Light Horse Regiment. Over two nights, the men of the 6th Light Horse dug a new trench and the redoubt at the end was named 'Chatham's Post'.
The Mission, led by Official Historian C E W Bean, visited Gallipoli in February and March 1919 to collect items for the nation, to record the area through artworks and photographs, and to explore the battlefields to answer some of the 'riddles of Anzac' for the Australian official history of the war.