LRDG / RAF Button Escape Compass and Map

A very interesting collection of desert related artefacts all, I understand, having belonged to a New Zealander who it appears saw service in the Western desert. The presence of the Silk Escape Map perhaps suggests some association with the Long Range Desert Group.

The highlight of the collection is the small general service Escape cCmpass Button. Beautifully engineered, this is the smallest I have ever seen measuring approximately 11mm in diameter. My first thought was for use on an other ranks field service cap or officer’s cap chinstrap, however both of those are slightly larger at about 13mm. Sadly, the Perspex window must have shrunk with age and become detached allowing that and the compass disc to be lost over the years. Otherwise, the button is in excellent condition.

The second compass is the standard Escape Compass carried in the Personal Aids Kits or Aids Box. Very good condition.

Finally, there is an excellent and apparently unused example of a double sided silk Escape Map issued of course to aircrew but in this case perhaps also to members of the Long Range Desert Group.

This is Map K1 and K2 showing on K1, North to Crete and South to 28 degrees North, embracing Cairo and the Suez Canal to the East and Benghazi to the West.

K2 is from Sicily and Tunis in the North down to 12 degree North, East to beyond Tobruk and West to Oran and the Atlas Mountains.

Isogonals (lines of magnetic variation) are dated 1937 so this is an early wartime produced Map and possibly one of the first double sided examples.

Correctly folded in its original issued form, the Map is in very good condition.

A lovely collection either used by a soldier or airman who simply acquire a General Service Button.