The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Mark III, British prismatic compass. The compass has a hinging lid centrally set with a glass viewing lens with a vertically scribed aiming line in the centre. The height adjustable pivoting brass and prismatic glass viewer folds over the lens allowing the user to see the aiming point and the compass dial simultaneously. The turnable glass and brass lens cover is graduated in single degrees up to three hundred and sixty. Suspended within the compass liquid is the dial, marked 'N', 'S', 'E' & 'W'. This dial is marked in single units plus units of ten degrees around the circumference. There are also units of degrees and direction etched to the outside circumference of the compass. Attached to the one o'clock position of the compass is a dial tensioning mechanism.
This prismatic compass originated from the corvette, HMAS Armidale, which was attacked and sunk by Japanese aircraft, north west of Darwin, on 1 December 1942. HMAS Armidale left Darwin shortly after midnight on 29 November 1942, on board was the 83 crew, 3 AIF Bren gunners and Dutch and Netherlands East Indies soldiers. After the attack, this compass was found on the body of a Dutch Netherlands East Indies soldier. It was used by Lieutenant Lloyd Palmer to navigate Armidale's whaler toward the Australian coast. The compass was carried by Leading Seaman and Chief Bosun's Mate, Leigh Henry Bool, who along with Palmer and others, was rescued on 9 December 1942. After the war, the compass was kept by Leading Seaman Bool.
Black, Mark III, solid brass, British prismatic compass. The compass has a hinging lid centrally set with a glass viewing lens with a vertically scribed aiming line in the centre. The height adjustibl
Circular, brass, prismatic compass. The disc shaped lid is detachable and can be fitted to the bottom of the compass when not required. There is a hinging brass vane bolted to the outside circumferenc
Brass bodied compass painted overall gloss black with small areas of paint worn off from use, and exposing the brass. The body consists of the main lower part containing the graduated compass disc.
Khaki cotton webbing pouch designed for storing a Mk III British prismatic compass. The interior is lined with khaki coloured felt to protect the compass when stored. The pouch is secured with a brass
Black painted brass prismatic compass Mk III, with circular rubber flange on back and a glass face. The markings on the dial are defined in radium paint. The back is impressed 'T.G. Co Ltd LONDON No.
Verner's Pattern No VIII prismatic compass with circular brass body marked with degrees on exterior side, with hinged glassed lid, prism viewer, momentary bearing lock pin-button and compass rose tran
