Rats sing to trench banjo tune

By Mal Gill
May 2 2021 - 10:00am
Private Jack Darnley (left) with two of his mates from the 2/28th Signals Platoon, Ken Lucas and Bill Marchant. A note on the back states they were on 'French leave' in Beirut, February 13, 1942. French leave was the troops' nickname for being absent without leave. This picture and the pictures of the Darnley Dixaline were provided by the Birdwood House Military Museum.
Private Jack Darnley (left) with two of his mates from the 2/28th Signals Platoon, Ken Lucas and Bill Marchant. A note on the back states they were on 'French leave' in Beirut, February 13, 1942. French leave was the troops' nickname for being absent without leave. This picture and the pictures of the Darnley Dixaline were provided by the Birdwood House Military Museum.

The name was a propaganda label, contrived to convey derogatory connotations and, most of all, utter disdain for their desperate rear-guard defensive action.

Get the latest WA news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.