Between the First World War and the Second World War the Australian Army comprised two elements; the Militia (part-time army) and the Permanent Military Force.
One of the New South Wales-based units of the Militia was the 54 Battalion (The Lachlan-Macquarie Regiment).
An ornate swagger stick has come to hand which bears the emblem of 54 Battalion.The emblem is also the same as the hat and collar badges for the Battalion.
Here it is pictured with a 40 centimetre ruler. The stick measures 69cm from top to tip. The pointed bottom tip is a hollow bullet and shell, the shaft is wood (possibly mulga wood) and the sphere at the top is of a silver coloured metal. The light coloured tape wrapping 10cm from the top was, I think, there to assist placement under the arm.
This close up of the top sphere shows the regimental insignia. It bears parts of the New South Wales Coat of Arms including the southern Cross in the middle with a sunburst behind. The number 54 appears just above the crest with the words "AMOR PATRIA" either side and "LACHLAN MACQUARIE REGIMENT" below.
A comparison of the insignia at the Australian War Memorial appears here.
[ Photographing the swagger stick and the decorative heraldic elements was difficult.]
Here's the owner of the swagger stick in traditional pose. Swagger stick under his right arm and the head held by the upturned right hand. You'll notice too that the blackboard outside the room behind him bears the sign "HQ 54 bn".
I estimate the year to be around 1939.
Here's the owner earlier, as a corporal. This photograph clearly shows the hat and collar insignia of the 54BN
The man here later became a lieutenant in the Australian Army and served during World War Two in the New Guinea campaign.
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