Malaita Patrol leaving Henderson Airport

Places
Accession Number ART94154
Collection type Art
Measurement sheet: 76.8 cm x 57.2 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description pencil and watercolour on paper
Maker eX de Medici
Place made Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Canberra
Date made 2009
Conflict Solomon Islands (RAMSI), 2003-2013
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

Malaita is an island north of Guadalcanal. The Australian army conduct regular patrols to Malaita. Pictured here is a patrol leaving Henderson Airport in a helicopter. The soldier in the foreground is Private Thomas Oliver Melick "Mel". Sewn on his uniform is the patch of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. The patch features a white peace dove and the words "Helpem Fren", Solomon Islands pidgin for "help a friend". The soldier with the moustache, pictured second from the back, is Corporal Thomas Vojteck Elias "Corporal Tom".