The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Nine Economy Red Indelible Refills. The refills are still in their original cylindrical wooden container. The label which doubles as the seal is unbroken. The label has a brown stripe running down each side of the label with the central colour being green. A thin brown stripe is set in from each side of the border stripe. Printed in green lettering on each of the end stripes is 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. Printed in brown lettering on the green part of the label is '9 / ECONOMY / RED INDELIBLE / REFILLS'.
This type of indelible pencil lead was commonly used from the late ninteenth centry to the end of the first half of the twentieth century for producing indelible copies on paper. The pencil leads contained an aniline dye which could not be erased.
The leads are associated with the service of Flight Lieutenant 263145 Percy Arthur Charles Haberecht, who was born on 26 September 1904 in Henty, NSW. After completing his schooling, he moved into retail, becoming a sales superintendent. He was married on 20 April 1927 and on 12 April 1930, his daughter Pamela was born.
Haberecht applied for a commission in the RAAF at the outbreak of the Second World War and was commissioned on 23 July 1941 with the rank of pilot officer. He left Australia shortly after for the Middle East where he was attached to the RAF. He was posted the Middle East Cipher School on 2 August before being sent to 259 Wing in October. His next posting was to Headquarters 213 Group on 1 December. In these postings, Haberecht was responsible for highly classified cipher transmissions and for streamlining the sending and receiving of surface mail. Haberecht was promoted to acting flight lieutenant on 23 January 1942 and posted to RAF Station Amman the following day. He remained in this unit until October 1942 when he was posted to the Command Headquarters of the Desert Air Force as officer in charge of organisation. He served with this formation from El Alamein to Tunisia, an advance of 1400 miles in 3 months. Following the surrender of Axis forces in Africa on 12 May 1943, Haberecht became involved in the planning for the allied landings on Sicily and Italy. He was posted to Headquarters Middle East Tactical Air Force in Italy on 6 November. He went on to organise the dispatch communications and official and private letters for all air force units in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
He was made acting squadron leader in mid November and had his nominal rank of flight lieutenant confirmed in December. In June 1944, Haberecht was transferred to 202 Group on Corsica where planning for the invasion of southern France was underway. He landed at St Tropez in August and worked with 202 Group and the American 7th Army and 12th Tactical Air Force until the ground forces reached Belgium late in 1944. He returned to Naples in January 1945 where he requested a return to Australia after three and a half years without leave. He arrived back in Sydney in April 1945, reverting to his rank of flight lieutenant. He was posted as officer in charge of the RAAF rehabilitation unit in July and stayed in that position until he was discharged in June 1946. Haberecht ran his own furniture business after the war and passed away on 23 June 1987.
Ten gram packet of Bouillon Powder taken from the U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. The packet has been pressure sealed and the ends have been ridged for ease of tearing open. Printed on the front
One packet of Chesterfield Cigarettes from a U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. The cigarettes are still in their original box with it's cellophane wrap. The packet has an outer tan coloured cover
One packet of Dentyne chewing gum from a U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. The gum is wrapped in waxed paper and a tan paper wrapper. The wrapper has a tab inserted into the paper join for easy op
Light brown lightweight plain weave cotton dust coat. The coat has long raglan sleeves, two large patch pockets, with vertical opening on each side, a centre back vent and self fabric belt with white
1 pair of summer dress uniform epaulettes. The epaulettes are made up of shoulder straps and a tongue sewn underneath each strap. The straps and tongues both have a button hole with sewn edges for att
Brown box containing one brown envelope with a pair of plastic anti-gas eye shields inside. The outside of the box has a rectangular white label affixed to the front. Printed on the label in black is
Reel of khaki coloured cotton with a blue paper label wrapped around the outside. The cotton has been wound onto the cardboard spool. The blue label has 'FIL A. COUDRE / 400 YDS.' printed onto it in r
Narrative memoirs of Squadron Leader Haberecht's experiences during W2 while attached to the RAF and responsible for mail communications in campaigns in North Africa, Middle East, France and Italy.
Two metal identity discs, one round and one hexagonal attached to a metal chain. Engraved on the obverse of each tag is 'P.A.C. / HABERECHT / R.A.A.F. / C OF E.' On the reverse of each disc is engrave
Three individual sugar cubes wrapped in brown paper. Printed on the top side of the wrapping is 'JACK FROST / TABLET SUGAR / NATIONAL SUGAR / REFINING COMPANY / NEW YORK N.Y.' in black ink. On one sid
One Piastre coin. The obverse of the coin has raised arabic writing top and bottom with a raised number '1' in the centre. On the reverse of the coin in raised characters is 'LIBAN / 1 / PIASTRE'. A
Tan suede mosquito boots with stitched leather soles. On the base of each sole has been stamped 'BROAD ARROW 8' in the arch and 'IX' near the instep. The upper is made up of three parts, these being t
Packet of K-1 Biscuits (Energy Crackers) from a U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. There are 4 biscuits stacked one on top of the other and are still in their original cellophane wrapping. The midd
Wooden handled personal stamp. The handle is made of wood which has been painted black and has been shaped for a comfortable grip during use. It is attached to the body of the stamp which is also wood
RAAF blue wool barathea forage cap with oxidised copper officer's eagle and crown cap badge on the left side. The front flap is fastened with two brass eagle and crown buttons. The black coating that
Officer's unlined khaki cotton drill summer service dress tunic with a pair of pleated breast patch pockets and a pair of expanding patch waist pockets. The pockets have flaps secured by black plastic
Khaki cotton drill flying trousers with five button fly, two button waist fastening, slash pockets in each side seam, and a single rear welt pocket with a button fastening. Self fabric half belt strap
The box is made of brown cardboard with 'U.S. ARMY FIELD RATION K / SUPPER UNIT / OPEN INNER BAG CAREFULLY. IT MAY BE USED AS A WATERPROOF CON- / TAINER FOR MATCHES, CIGARETTES, ETC. / FOR SECURITY, D
U.S. Army chocolate bar wrapped in brown paper, taken from a U.S Army Field Ration 'D' box. The paper wrapping has 'U.S. ARMY FIELD RATION D / 2 OUNCES NET / PREPARED BY / ROCKWOOD & CO. / BROOKLYN, N
Warrant Officer rank arm band. The arm band is made from a rectangular piece of khaki coloured cotton drill with two elastic straps which have been sewn to the top and bottom of the cloth to form the
1 pair of summer dress uniform epaulettes. The epaulettes are made up of shoulder straps and a tongue sewn underneath each strap. The straps and tongues both have a button hole with sewn edges for att
RAAF blue wool barathea forage cap with oxidised copper officer's eagle and crown cap badge on the left side. The front flap is fastened with two brass eagle and crown buttons. The black coating that
U.S. Army chocolate bar wrapped in brown paper, taken from a U.S Army Field Ration 'D' box. The paper wrapping has 'U.S. ARMY FIELD RATION D / 2 OUNCES NET / PREPARED BY / ROCKWOOD & CO. / BROOKLYN, N
Wooden handled personal stamp. The handle is made of wood which has been painted black and has been shaped for a comfortable grip during use. It is attached to the body of the stamp which is also wood
Ten gram packet of Bouillon Powder taken from the U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. The packet has been pressure sealed and the ends have been ridged for ease of tearing open. Printed on the front
One packet of Dentyne chewing gum from a U.S. Army field ration K supper unit. The gum is wrapped in waxed paper and a tan paper wrapper. The wrapper has a tab inserted into the paper join for easy op