| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Amiens Harbonnieres Area, Hamel Area, Hamel |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM00781 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cotton tape, Plant fibre, Wood |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: Hamel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Sign for C Company used during the battle of Hamel : Lieutenant Victor Charles Smith, 40th Battalion, AIF
Description
Wooden sign with a plant fibre rope nailed in the shape of a 'C' to the board. A piece of cotton 'jumping off' tape is wound around and tied to the post to which the sign is attached.
History / Summary
This Australian sign for 'C Company' was used as an assembly marker near the jumping off tape lines before the start of the battle of Hamel, on 4 July 1918, a successful combined Australian and American attack. A week later the 40th Battalion moved in to hold newly extended front line near the former German communication trench known as Hun's Walk.
This sign was collected two days later, on 13 July, by Lieutenant Victor Smith from the original Australian starting line before the battle and later handed in to the Australian War Records Section. As the section of the Australian line opposite the Hun's Walk area on 4th July was occupied by the 4th Infantry Brigade it is likely that this sign relates to one of the C companies of the four infantry battalions that made up the brigade - the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th battalions.