Summary

Paper photograph pouch titled 'The "Anzac" Pocket Knapsack', published and printed in London by C.M. Tucker during World War I.

Printed paper photograph pouch with the crests of the Australian Military Forces and the New Zealand Forces on the front, accompanied by the second verse of the poem 'Greater Britain' by American author and poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox. (1850-1919). On the inside left flap is a general prayer and two verses from the book of Matthew in the New Testament. On the inside right flap is Margaret Swanton's poem 'For Honour and For Her', below which is the poem, 'The Soldier's Prayer. When opened, the two flaps make a pouch suitable for carrying photographs of postcards. On the back cover are fields for the owner to record details of their military number, rank, name, unit, and home address in the event of the knapsack being lost, or recovered from a fallen soldier.

Physical Description

Printed paper photograph pouch with the crests of the Australian Military Forces and the New Zealand Forces on the front, accompanied by the second verse of the poem 'Greater Britain' by American author and poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox. (1850-1919). On the inside left flap is a general prayer and two verses from the book of Matthew in the New Testament. On the inside right flap is Margaret Swanton's poem 'For Honour and For Her', below which is the poem, 'The Soldier's Prayer. When opened, the two flaps make a pouch suitable for carrying photographs of postcards. On the back cover are fields for the owner to record details of their military number, rank, name, unit, and home address in the event of the knapsack being lost, or recovered from a fallen soldier.

Significance

This Anzac Pocket Knapsack, printed in London during the First World War, highlights the emerging identify of Australian and New Zealand Forces as 'Anzac', and enhances our representation of military life, highlighting the culture of communication of soldiers on active duty.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Public Life & Institutions, Home & Community

  • Acquisition Information

    Purchase

  • Inscriptions

    Printed on recto: The "ANZAC" POCKET KNAPSACK Printed heading, inner left sleeve: GENERAL PRAYER. Printed heading, inner right sleeve, upper: FOR HONOUR AND FOR HER. Printed heading, inner right sleeve, lower: THE SOLDIER'S PRAYER. Printed on verso, upper: GOD SAVE OUR KING AND NATION!/ AND/ GUIDE AND PROTECT THE OWNER. Printed on verso, lower: Information and Copies may be obtained from/ S.J. MATHIESON, Chaplain N.Z.E.F.,/ New Zealand Base P.O., London, E.C./ And C.M. TUCKER, Printer and Publisher, 35, Finsbury Square, London, E.C.2

  • Classification

    Military history, Service, Souvenirs

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions - Folded

    10.4 mm (Width), 15.5 mm (Height)

  • Overall Dimensions

    20.7 mm (Width), 15.4 mm (Height)

  • Keywords

    Patriotism, Postcards, World War I, 1914-1918