US Marine Corps souvenier pennant: Private James Albert Walters, First Division, United States Marine Corps

A long triangular pennant in blue felt, featuring the following silk-screened designs: (from the hoist) the United States Marines insignia in white, blue and red, accompanied by the title 'U.S.M IN THE STH PACIFIC'; the title in yellow "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS' followed by a grey kangaroo.

US Marine Corps pennant manufactured in Melbourne in early 1943 for the influx of First Division Marines recently relieved at Guadalcanal. This example was purchased by Private James Albert 'Jim' Walters (First Division Marine Corps) and given to his sweetheart Agnes Elizabeth 'Betty' Dowling.

Betty was employed by the Myer Emporium in Melbourne. She also helped serve in the 'Dug Out' canteen which many American and Australian servicemen frequented. There she learnt to dance the jitterbug from the Americans. The Americans also helped establish womens softball in Victoria, and Betty was a member of one of the first women's baseball teams.

Betty was living with her parents when the war broke out. The Dowling family had several marines for dinner and their home was open to many servicemen. Betty met and fell in love with Jim Walters but he was only in Australia until August 1943 when the First Division Marines were transferred to New Guinea.

He went on to serve there and at Okinowa before being repatriated back to America. For several years after the war Betty continued to correspond with Jim's family. Near the end of the war, Betty was served with notice to be employed by the Ministry of Munitions where she undertook clerical duties. It was here after the war she met her future husband, Kelvin Martin, a returned serviceman.

Jim Walters died on 9 October 2002. Betty Martin died on 29 November 2012.