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The original AIF colour patch was issued to the 2/24th Battalion when it was part of the 7th Division in 1940. Its format was the same as for the First AIF - grey background with a white and red diamond. The 2/24th became part of the 9th Division in February 1941. The new colour patches were issued to the whole division after the desert campaigns.
On 17th December [1942], a new divisional Colour Patch was issued. It was shaped like a ‘T’ but with the vertical stroke shortened. There was much speculation as to the origin of the ‘T’ shape and some years later Moreshead was asked to comment. He wrote:[1]
'The T stood for Tobruk. The 9th Division was hurriedly formed and wore a collection of colour patches – oblongs, squares, circles, ovals. After coming out of Tobruk, I decided we should have one form, but, knowing how attached the men were to their old colour patches, the change had to be unanimously accepted. If not, then there would be no change'.
'Finally, but not altogether readily, it was accepted. Nothing, as far as I was concerned, had been indicated that the T stood for Tobruk, nor, when informing the Commander-in-Chief in Australia, the late Field Marshal Blamey, of the change, did I make reference to Tobruk. I did explain that a common colour patch was necessary and I had decided (as all other simple forms from squares to circles had long since been bespoken) on the combination of two oblongs, the larger one on top'.[2]