Chinese presentation flag : Lieutenant A R James, 2/106 General Transport Company, AASC

Triangular flag made from pink brocaded silk. The flag has a white cotton hoist and is edged with purple rayon cut with a series of triangular edges. Hand embroidered in the centre in green cotton are large Chinese characters translated as 'Peace' and 'Victory'. Running down the flag towards the hoist are Chinese characters in black paint which read 'To the friendly Australian Army from the Jesselton Chinese Celebration Committee'. Along the top and bottom of the flag is the English text 'To A.I.F.' and 'From Jesselton Chinese Celebration Committee'. The words 'VICTORY 1945' are painted in the middle.

This presentation flag was made by members of the Jesselton Chinese Celebration Committee and presented to NX41507 Lieutenant (Lt) Arthur Raymond James during a ceremony held to mark the end of the war. Jesselton, a town in North Borneo, had a significant Chinese population and Lt James accepted the flag as the only Australian officer present at the ceremony, albeit in an unofficial capacity. James was born in Sydney in August 1916 and enlisted in the Australian Army on 31 July 1941. Towards the end of war he was serving as part of 9 Division with 2/106 General Transport Company and participated in the initial landing on Labuan in June 1945. From there he was sent to Jessleton and attended the Chinese celebrations after the cesastion of hostilities. He was discharged from 1 Armoured Brigade Company, Australian Army Service Corps on 29 March 1946.