The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
White cotton pouch with a drawstring around the top. The pouch has three large black chinese characters on the front which can be translated as 'Consolation or Comfort Bag'. On either side are smaller characters with details of the recipient and donor. The characters on the right read 'The People's Army of Korea' and 'The Chinese Volunteer Forces'. Those on the left read 'Lina Cui, Grade Three, Jicheng Primary School, Third district, Tianjin, China'.
Collected by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch, commander of 1 Platoon, A Company, 1 RAR during a patrol on the night of 9/10 November 1952. The bag came from the body of a Chinese soldier found between Hill 355 and Hill 227. These comfort bags are thought to have contained sweets or cigarettes and were sent to the Chinese forces in Korea by school children in China. Sgt Welch was born in September 1927 and enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 4 March 1946. With the rank of Corporal he was posted to Japan on 15 October 1946 with 66 Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. He was promoted to Sergeant while serving with 66 Bn and returned to Australia on 5 September 1947. He then served during the Korean War with A Company, 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from 3 March 1952 to 20 January 1953. On 11 April of that year he was promoted to Lieutenant. He again served overseas in New Guinea with the Pacific Islands Regiment from 4 September 1955 to 10 January 1957. Welch continued to serve with the army and retired with the rank of Major.
Blue sleeve patch rounded at the bottom and embroidered in yellow and red cotton with a King's Crown above the word 'COMMONWEALTH'. Worn by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch. Welch was born in Sep
Square blue sleeve patch embroidered with a King's Crown above a scroll containing the words 'BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES'. Worn by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch. Welch was born in September 19
Chinese issue goggles with the frame made from a single section of flexible green rubber. The eye pieces are fitted with clear glass and the goggles are secured by a metal hook at the end of the strap
Silver coloured cigarette case with decorative finish on the front and back. The case is hinged along the left side and opens by a spring clasp on the right. Engraved inside the left panel is '3/961
Stainless steel cigarette lighter with flip top lid. An enamelled crest is attached to the front of the lighter and depicts a King's Crown above a scroll with the word 'COMMONWEALTH'. The front of th
Horizontally aligned colour patch for 66 Australian Infantry Battalion, evenly divided into green, purple and green squares on a grey background. Worn by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch. Welch wa
Black metal cigarette case with a decorative scene embossed and overlaid with gold and silver on the front. The scene depicts a snow covered Mount Fuji in the background. On a small hill in the foregr
Small khaki pouch with a cotton drawstring threaded through the top. Collected by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch, commander of 1 Platoon, A Company, 1 RAR during a patrol on the night of 9/10 No
Empty, Khaki tin with removable lid and remains of adhesive tape. The black printing on the front reads 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA/EMERGENCY RATIONS/ To be consumed only when no other rations of any kind are
Pair of steel identity discs threaded on a green cotton cord. One disc is octagonal and the other round. Both are engraved with '3/961 C of E WELCH J. H.'. Worn by 3/961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welc
Four Imperial Japanese Army rank badges for warrant officer, sergeant major, sergeant and corporal. Warrant officer - a red rhomboid with gold braiding and a strip of gold through the centre. Sergeant
Miniature horizontally aligned colour patch for 66 Australian Infantry Battalion, evenly divided into green, purple and green squares on a grey background. Worn by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch
Outdoor portrait of Major James Hamilton Welch and Corporal Smith outside the Special Company 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), company office.
Pair of khaki woollen shoulder titles. The titles are slightly curved and embroidered in white with the word 'AUSTRALIA'. Worn by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch. Welch was born in September 1927
Two curved shoulder titles made of red cloth. The words 'ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT' are machine embroidered in white cotton. The title is edged in white cotton. Worn by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton
White cotton six pleat puggaree. Worn by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch. Welch was born in September 1927 and enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 4 March 1946. With the rank of Corpora
Pair of khaki drab shoulder titles designed to slide over the shoulder straps of a summer uniform shirt. In the centre of each title is a band embroidered with the word 'AUSTRALIA'. Worn by 3961 Cor
Collection relating to 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch, A Company, 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), Korean War. Collection comprises a letter written to his parents, dated 6 July 195
Olive green machine knitted hat (cap, comforter) with one seam at top. The rectangular shaped hat is rolled several times to create a smaller cap. Worn by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch. Welch w
Olive green woollen scarf knitted in a tubular shape with reinforcing stitiching at the edges. A white label is sewn to one edge and is printed in black with the maker's details. Worn by 3961 Sergea
Small khaki pouch with a cotton drawstring threaded through the top. Collected by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch, commander of 1 Platoon, A Company, 1 RAR during a patrol on the night of 9/10 No
Chinese issue goggles with the frame made from a single section of flexible green rubber. The eye pieces are fitted with clear glass and the goggles are secured by a metal hook at the end of the strap
Silver coloured cigarette case with decorative finish on the front and back. The case is hinged along the left side and opens by a spring clasp on the right. Engraved inside the left panel is '3/961
Pair of steel identity discs threaded on a green cotton cord. One disc is octagonal and the other round. Both are engraved with '3/961 C of E WELCH J. H.'. Worn by 3/961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welc
Olive green machine knitted hat (cap, comforter) with one seam at top. The rectangular shaped hat is rolled several times to create a smaller cap. Worn by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch. Welch w
Blue sleeve patch rounded at the bottom and embroidered in yellow and red cotton with a King's Crown above the word 'COMMONWEALTH'. Worn by 3961 Sergeant James Hamilton Welch. Welch was born in Sep