The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Knitted khaki woollen balaclava. Similar in style to the ‘balaclava helmet’ pattern, this kept the head and neck warm, leaving a square opening for the face and slits for the ears. There is a woollen strap sewn on top the back of the balaclava which can be pulled over the head to provider extra warmth for the ears or tip of the nose. Some small darns in a similar coloured cotton are evident.
Born at Eidsvold, Queensland in 1907, QX215 Sergeant Norman Maitland Partridge enlisted in the Second AIF at Brisbane on 25 September 1939. He listed his previous occupations as 'General clerical - running repairs - unemployed - labourer - salesman - drive car'. Partridge was married with two young children.
Partridge trained as a nursing orderly and left Australia for the United Kingdom with 2/3rd Field Ambulance on 17 May 1940. In Britain he transferred to 2/11th Field Ambulance at Tidworth. The unit left for North Africa in January 1941. Partridge carried this balaclava at Tobruk.
In June 1943 he was posted to 8th Special Hospital at Gaza. He left the Middle East to return to Australia at the beginning of 1943. He then served in hospitals in Brisbane, Atherton and South Australia. He was posted to 107 Australian General Hospital in Darwin between February and September 1945. Partridge was discharged on 6 November of that year. He died in 1956.
Studio portrait of QX215 Sergeant (Sgt) Norman Maitland Partridge, 2/11 Field Ambulance. Sgt Partridge enlisted on 21 October 1939 and served overseas at Tobruk. He was discharged on 6 November 1945.
Plain weave khaki cotton housewife lined with cream cotton drill. One end is folded over and sewn to form an internal pocket; the free end is shaped and carries a pair of white cotton tapes to close t
Collection relating to the Second World War service of QX215 Sergeant Norman Maitland Partridge, 2/11 Field Ambulance. Collection consists of one handwritten letter, a telegram, a postcard, Christmas
Plain weave khaki cotton housewife lined with cream cotton drill. One end is folded over and sewn to form an internal pocket; the free end is shaped and carries a pair of white cotton tapes to close t
Unbleached calico housewife with a rectangular pocket at one end, three open-ended storage compartments and a triangular end with a pair of cotton tape ties to secure the housewife and its contents in
Studio group portrait of three Australian soldiers posing with beer bottles. Identified, third from left, is QX215 Sergeant (Sgt) Norman Maitland Partridge, 2/11 Field Ambulance. Sgt Partridge enliste
Black woollen balaclava issued by army which covers head, neck and ears with opening for face. On patrols in cold weather Trooper Robert Cooper wore this standard army issue balaclava combined wit
Hand-knitted khaki woollen helmet style balaclava. The neck and face band is knitted in rib stitch, and the crown of the head in garter stitch. This hand knitted helmet style balaclava was worn
Dark blue woollen rib balaclava made from two layers of fabric turned over each other so that the neck edge is continuous. The top of the balaclava is machined in a cross pattern to give shape to the
