| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/21579.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Butterfly; Cellophane; Duralium or Duralimin |
| Maker |
McLennan, Lachlan |
| Place made | New Guinea1 |
| Date made | c 1944-1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Woven cellophane butterfly belt with duralium buckle : Sapper L McLennan, 2/2 Forestry Unit
Description
Ladies belt made from butterfly wings encased in cigarette packet cellophane and woven together. One end of the belt is threaded with a butterfly-shaped buckle made from scrap aircraft duralium.
History / Summary
Born in Clunes, Victoria in July 1905, Lachlan McLennan enlisted in the Army on 25 April 1940 in Melbourne. With the rank of sapper and the service number VX12940, McLennan joined the 2/2 Forestry Unit and served initially in England preparing timber for railway units. In 1943 the Forestry Unit returned to Australia via America and New Zealand and was then posted to New Guinea and New Britain. During his time in New Guinea McLennan collected butterflies and shells from which he crafted belts and jewellery. The butterfly wings were carefully lined with clear cellophane obtained from American cigarette packets and the buckles were made from perspex and scrap metal from aircraft. Sapper McLennan sent home two belts for his wife and daughter. Most of the belts he made were sold to US servicemen who paid high prices for unique gifts to send home to loved ones. McLennan returned home to Australia in May 1945 and was discharged on the 14th of that month.