1942 AUSTRALIAN SHORT SNORTER

 

An extraordinary piece of wartime history is now on display at the RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre: a 10-shilling ‘short snorter' banknote signed by Allied aviators in July 1942.

This rare artefact, discovered by chance in a Townsville second-hand store in the 1980s, has been safeguarded by the centre ever since.

The note, believed to have been signed at a café from July 1 to 19, 1942, carries up to 30 signatures from RAAF and United States Air Force personnel who served in the defence of Darwin and Townsville.

Squadron Leader Andrew Chadwick of History and Heritage – Air Force described the note as an artefact more valuable than aircraft or radio sets.

"It is a living, documented piece of history; a physical, tangible example of a time when the outcome of the war was completely uncertain," Squadron Leader Chadwick said.

"That particular squadron, the American one, actually took over from 75 Squadron, which was the first squadron to go to Port Moresby, and it stopped the Japanese from advancing.

"They did their 44 days. They came home for rest and recuperation. 36 [Squadron] went up and did their tour and came back. 76 [Squadron] was in Townsville waiting to deploy and somehow those members who were on that note met up, probably to find out what the experience was up north.

"The importance of this allegiance occurring at that frontline level is incredible. That relationship projects forward 80-plus years to today."

The tradition of the ‘short snorter' began in the 1920s and gained popularity among American service members during World War 2.

Signed banknotes served as souvenirs of shared experiences, and failure to produce one often meant buying the next round of drinks.

To read the complete article, see:
A ‘short snorter' with a powerful story (https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2025/12/18/a-short-snorter-with-a-powerful-story/)

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