Mess Banner : Sergeant J A Thornhill, 100 Squadron RAAF

Rectangular unbleached canvas mess banner with painted design. The design consists of a white skull and crossbones within a red circle surmounting a pair of light blue wings. Surrounding the circle are the words '100 SQUADRON NEW GUINEA', in red and blue. A dowelling rod has been nailed along the top and bottom seams of the banner for hanging. Both rods are fitted with a metal circular loop at each end.

Associated with the service of 15890 Sergeant James Arnold Thornhill. Thornhill was born in Sheffield, England on 16 March 1907. He enlisted as a fitter in the RAAF in Sydney on 25 June 1940 and was posted to 1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton. There, with the rank of aircraftman, he completed a Fitters IIA Trade Training Course and a Douglas Conversion Course. Thornhill was promoted to leading aircraftman on 1 February 1941 and transferred to No. 2 Wireless Air Gunners School, Parkes on 26 May. He was taken on strength by 100 Squadron RAAF at Richmond Air Base on 7 March 1942 with the rank of corporal and was posted with the unit to Air Bases at Mareeba, Laverton and Garbutt before deploying with the unit to Milne Bay, New Guinea at the beginning of September. Thornhill served in Milne Bay for a year where 100 Squadron flew reconnaissance patrols and anti-shipping and bombing missions against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea mainland. After returning to Australia, Thornhill was granted ten days Tropical Leave before being posted to 2 Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park on 6 December 1943. He transferred to 6 Operational Training Unit on 8 January 1944, then to the Airframe Repair Section, 7 Aircraft Depot, Tocumwal on 19 April. Thornhill was discharged at 2 Personnel Depot, Bradfield Park on 5 November 1945 to take up civil employment.