Help identify 4 Australian WW2 figures ?? (1 Viewer)

[Obee]

On the weekend while I was away in the SW of Australia for Christmas with my family, I was introduced to local historian and collector of militaria and viewed his vast collection from the Boer War era right up to the modern day.

I did mention about my interest in our hobby and then he asked me if I knew anything about the 4 figures shown below, both front and back views:



Sailor, Soldier Airman, Nurse



They are about 2 1/2 inches / 58mm high and appear to be made from lead, but no makings on the base.

The sailor does have 'HMAS' on his tally band.

I recall recently that someone on this forum did show the Soldier, and asked for any information, but I can't find that thread.

I thought I'd ask again, this time showing all 4 figures, as he may have got that info recently?

John

 

[Oberstinhaber]

On the weekend while I was away in the SW of Australia for Christmas with my family, I was introduced to local historian and collector of militaria and viewed his vast collection from the Boer War era right up to the modern day.

I did mention about my interest in our hobby and then he asked me if I knew anything about the 4 figures shown below, both front and back views:

View attachment 184915

Sailor, Soldier Airman, Nurse

View attachment 184914

They are about 2 1/2 inches / 58mm high and appear to be made from lead, but no makings on the base.

The sailor does have 'HMAS' on his tally band.

I recall recently that someone on this forum did show the Soldier, and asked for any information, but I can't find that thread.

I thought I'd ask again, this time showing all 4 figures, as he may have got that info recently?

John

Hi John,

I'm afraid that I can only give you a partial answer.

These figures were made in Brisbane (or at least the originals were, not sure whether or not you have copies here) during the War by a patriotic Fitter and Turner.

Unfortunately, all the guys from that era who both knew the answer and, indeed, knew the guy concerned are now long gone; and, foolishly, I didn't ever write down the details. Rather a pity really, as I would have heard this "story" on more than one occasion, in the "old days".

As best I can recall. he only ever made these four figures. I can't remember now whether he did them out of patriotism or for commercial reasons. Why I remember that he was a Fitter and Turner by Trade is that there was always some discussion that he "turned" the blanks in metal on his lathe at work, and then scribed in the "detail".

These were never plentiful. I have been collecting for 60 years, and I don't have the full set (however, I have to admit that getting the full set was never a priority!) They still pop up from time to time in Brisbane. I recall that one may find "painted" examples, which means that the soldier was coated with "Gungle green" paint, the Sailor in dark blue and the Air Force guy in a lighter blue. I can't recall ever having seen a "painted" nurse.

My older brother "grew up" during the War. He can't recall ever having seen them, then. Toys just didn't exist in the shops, especially after 1942, he tells me. He used to make his own out of wood, paper and cardboard. Old match boxes were especially prized articles for turning into trucks and cars. I am sure that if he had been offered these figures ne would have jumped at them.

Sorry I can't be more helpful,

Regards,

Bob

 

[The Military Workshop]

John,
I had somebody approach me recently with several of the soldier figures asking me if they were worth anything. Had not seen them before but said I doubted would be worth much. Now I know a lot more than I did when he asked me about them. Thanks for posting and Bob for his info.
Brett

 

[Obee]

Bob,

thanks for the information about these figures, I'll pass that onto the collector and he may then use that info in his museum when they go on display.

Brett,

if you see any more of these figures, I'd love to buy them and add my 'lick of paint' to bring them to life as an example of figures from that period.

Also if anyone else sees them for sale, please let me know too ??

John

 

[Obee]

The collectors who showed me the soldiers was very pleased to receive the response from bob and Brett about these soldiers.

They also provided me with more information that they have found, and it sure makes interesting reading.

This was the reply :

Thanks so much for the information regarding the figurines. I was extremely fortunate to purchase them. I was given a tip by a person in the eastern states that they were for sale on eBay. I had recently bought something from him and he said he would keep an eye out for items he thought might be of interest to the museum – he saw these and sent me an email. I hadn’t seen the listing and clearly neither had many other people. It is interesting to hear that they were a turned item rather than a cast one. Given that the ones that I’ve seen photos of, all look very similar, it makes me wonder whether mine are actually cast copies of the originals? What did you think when you saw them? They do appear to have some age to them. In any case, I think they are lovely. Here are a couple of links to other articles about the soldiers. One suggests they are made of diecast aluminium. My soldier looks slightly more refined than the AWM variety but perhaps it is because theirs has been painted at some time in its life. The female character is obviously quite rare. I cannot find a photo of one the same.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/showandtell/archive/s1595749.htm

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL33460/


So from all this seems that more of them may surface at some time, probably in Brisbane, so keep a lookout Bob and Brett, and maybe you can get some of these figures for your collection (or mine)

Happy New Year,

John

 

[farmertony]

John-I had these as a boy.The soldier,sailor and airman(about 6 of each)given to me on my first birthday,January 1949.They were fairly common around Brisbane in the early 1950's and most of my schoolmates had them.We used to line them up and shoot marbles at them.I remember them being very solid and heavy and they could take a lot of punishment,even to the point of chipping the glass marbles,much to the constenation of the marbles owner,as marbles were highly prized in the infant school playground of 1953.Unfortunately,when I left home,my mother donated all my toys to a local church run orphanage so their whereabouts is now unknown.They were my first toy soldiers.