Slouch hat feathers—part 2

Anzac stories is a suite of videos relating to aspects of the First World War. Slouch hat feathers—part 2 is a Stage 2 history resource that focuses on Anzac symbols and commemoration.

In this video the senior historian from the ANZAC Memorial displays a historical artefact, a slouch hat with emu plumes, to a group of students and discusses its symbolism and the role of the Light Horse.

This video resource addresses the following NSW Board of Studies, Teaching & Educational Standards, history Stage 2 syllabus outcomes.

A student:

• identifies celebrations and commemorations of significance in Australia and the world (HT2-1)

• applies skills of historical inquiry and communication

Days and weeks celebrated or commemorated in Australia (including Australia Day, Anzac Day, Harmony Week, National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week, National Sorry Day) and the importance of symbols and emblems (ACHHK063)

Students:

• identify and describe local, state and national symbols and discuss the origins, symbolism and significance, eg the school logo, Australian and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, coats of arms from states and Australia 

• identify important Australian celebrations and commemorations and discuss their origins and significance in society.

Stella: Why was the feather so important to the light horsemen?

Brad Manera: The feather was important because it identified them. It became a very recognisable symbol. Even if the light horseman wasn't on his horse, you could tell he was a light horseman from the emu plumes in his hat. It was a tradition dating to 1891 when the Queensland horse-mounted soldiers were used to guard shearers moving from shearing sheds to the railways. The Queensland Mounted Infantry were told to wear the emu plume. And, of course, when the other Australian mounted soldiers saw the Queenslanders with emu plumes, they thought that's a very, very strong Australian symbol. And so, most of the other light-horse regiments from the other Australian states adopted emu plumes in their slouch hats by the time of the First World War in 1914. Still you'll see Australian soldiers now wearing the emu plume as part of that tradition. I'm going to pass this around. You'll get an idea of what the hat looks like. There's an original over here. This hat is over 100 years old. It was worn by an Australian light horseman who wasn't much older than you when he went to Sinai in 1918. And he brought that home and presented it to his mum. But this is a copy, and, um... So, it's a felt hat with the Australian badge on the side and the emu plumes tucked into the puggaree, that hat band, on the side. So imagine if you were wearing that on your head, the other soldiers could tell that you were a light horseman even if you didn't have your horse with you. The light horsemen were so proud of their emu plumes that if they ever lost them, they'd often write back to Australia to their families to get them to buy another set of emu plumes and post them over. And so, in Australia you could buy a set of emu plumes for one shilling and sixpence and post it to your brother or your father who was serving in the Light Horse on the other side of the world.

Before student viewing

Discuss with students the Australian Coat of Arms and the significance of its elements, especially the fauna.

During student viewing

Talk with students about the mixture of emotions possibly experienced by soldiers in the First World War. Ask students how wearing the emu plumes in their hats might have helped them as they fought on the other side of the world.

After student viewing

NOTE: Teachers should view all suggested videos and texts before showing them to students. Consider your individual students and the appropriateness of the videos and texts in your class context.

If appropriate to your students show them the video Animals in war (WW1) –a tribute and/or Remembering Animals and Humans in War. Stop the video at relevant points to discuss the different animals and their roles in the war.

Assist the class to make a list of animals that contributed to Australia’s war effort. For further learning activities about animals at war see A is for animals.

Students research a hero animal who contributed to the war effort. There might be a local memorial to an animal that students could visit. Based on their findings they create narratives told from the animals’ points of view.

Before students begin their research assist them to identify what they want to find out and to pose related research questions. This will form a scaffold for the research. Get students to scan content for key words related to the questions.

Prior to writing their narrative students could discuss:

• the animal’s physical and emotional state

• what the animal might be feeling and thinking during its heroic act

• how the animal feels and thinks after its heroic act.

Resources to support learning activities in Slouch hat feathers—part 2.

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