Often items are shown on the BBC Antiques Roadshow which have a strong Australian connection and you wonder if any journalist bothers to do a follow up story . Take the instance of the most unusual Sister Susie's Shirt , a "wash bag " , given to WW1 Diggers, which had items such as buttons, possibly sewing gear , and even a tape measure to assist in keeping uniforms in order , as well as something into which to put their socks .
The tape , which hung like a decoration from the pocket , unravelled to three feet along which were flags of the Allied nations , the last one that of Australia with the message to Remember Gallipoli , April 1915.
An Australian woman presented the shirt along with a photograph and a letter of a relative . It was pointed out that there was a wartime song , Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts for Soldiers ,on a Singer Sewing machine , sung by Al Jolson , the verses of which became faster causing soldiers who had been drinking beer to slur when they joined in the singing .
