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Jim Simpson`s Prisoner Of War RugPrint Page 
07-April-2019
Photographs supplied by Sandra Brown
The rug was knitted by Jim Simpson while he was a prisoner of war (POW) in Stalag IVB in Germany during World War Two. Jim dedicated the rug to his mother, Mrs Ivy Simpson, who taught him to knit and to the mothers of all fallen soldiers and airmen, and POW`s of World War Two.
Over the long months of being in the prison camp Jim collected wool, knitted, taught other prisoners to knit, and designed a 2m x 2.1m rug from memory, depicting an incredibly accurate map of Australia with mountains, lakes, islands, State boundaries and Coats of Arms. It is rare and unique in its design, size and condition, and has historical significance internationally as an example of the ingenuity and resilience of the Australian soldier. The design and creation itself has some significance in both its aesthetic and interpretative potential, illustrating the retained knowledge from a limited education system of Australia’s geography, and the social implications of a thirty year old man from an isolated farm in that era knowing how to knit complex patterns and designs. The precise provenance of the rug enriches its value both historically and aesthetically by providing detailed accounts of its design and construction under adverse conditions. Locally the rug has become an important aspect of the region’s history.
Jim was a local man who was renowned for his outspoken distrust of government, but one who was willing to stand up and be counted, serving years as a Shire Councillor, including a term as Shire President. Jim passed away in May 2012 and the large gathering at his funeral all agreed that his rug held a part of his soul and a special place in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched over his long life.
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Over the long months of being in the prison camp Jim collected wool, knitted, taught other prisoners to knit, and designed a 2m x 2.1m rug from memory, depicting an incredibly accurate map of Australia with mountains, lakes, islands, State boundaries and Coats of Arms. It is rare and unique in its design, size and condition, and has historical significance internationally as an example of the ingenuity and resilience of the Australian soldier. The design and creation itself has some significance in both its aesthetic and interpretative potential, illustrating the retained knowledge from a limited education system of Australia’s geography, and the social implications of a thirty year old man from an isolated farm in that era knowing how to knit complex patterns and designs. The precise provenance of the rug enriches its value both historically and aesthetically by providing detailed accounts of its design and construction under adverse conditions. Locally the rug has become an important aspect of the region’s history.
Jim was a local man who was renowned for his outspoken distrust of government, but one who was willing to stand up and be counted, serving years as a Shire Councillor, including a term as Shire President. Jim passed away in May 2012 and the large gathering at his funeral all agreed that his rug held a part of his soul and a special place in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched over his long life.
Location
| Address: | 103 Hanson Street (Murray Valley Highway) , The Man From Snowy River Museum, Corryong, 3707 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -36.197566 Long: 147.900457 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Art |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
Dedication
Front Inscription
Plaque:
JIM O. SIMPSON` RUG
World War 11 - Gunner, Navigator and Bomb Aimer-
RAAF 409238 POW 259908
Jim was in the Royal Australian Air Force and, in October 1943, his squadron was shot down on their first mission over Germany. Jim and four others were the only ones to survive the attack. They were captured and sent to the German prison camp, Stalag IVB. On advice that his woollen pullover would be confiscated and sent to the Russian front he unravelled it into balls of wool. Over the next few months Jim gradually acquired more pullovers which he boiled to kill the lice and wound it into more balls of wool. Jim knitted socks and taught many prisoners how to knit; a real boost for prison morale.
Jim Simpson`s rug measures 6'1" x 6'4" and depicts the Australian map and the Coat of Arms. The rug was knitted in one piece and took about six weeks from hundreds of small lengths of worn wool joined together. Jim has dedicated his rug to his mother, Mrs Ivy Davidson Orgill Simpson (dec), and to the mothers of all fallen soldiers and airmen, and POW`s of World War 11.
' I managed to get the right size knitting needles from Italian Dixie can pan handles - about 10 inches when straightened out, the size of number 8 fencing wire. I used sixteen, and sharpened them on the cement ablution block floor to be reasonably suitable.'
For further information on Jim`s Simpson`s Rug visit the Corryong Man from Snowy River Museum.
www.manfromsnowyrivermuseum. com.au
Towong Victoria
Shire Council The place to be
A champion story - A true gentleman - A man of vision with indomnitable spirit A very proud Australian
Source: MAPlaque:
JIM O. SIMPSON` RUG
World War 11 - Gunner, Navigator and Bomb Aimer-
RAAF 409238 POW 259908
Jim was in the Royal Australian Air Force and, in October 1943, his squadron was shot down on their first mission over Germany. Jim and four others were the only ones to survive the attack. They were captured and sent to the German prison camp, Stalag IVB. On advice that his woollen pullover would be confiscated and sent to the Russian front he unravelled it into balls of wool. Over the next few months Jim gradually acquired more pullovers which he boiled to kill the lice and wound it into more balls of wool. Jim knitted socks and taught many prisoners how to knit; a real boost for prison morale.
Jim Simpson`s rug measures 6'1" x 6'4" and depicts the Australian map and the Coat of Arms. The rug was knitted in one piece and took about six weeks from hundreds of small lengths of worn wool joined together. Jim has dedicated his rug to his mother, Mrs Ivy Davidson Orgill Simpson (dec), and to the mothers of all fallen soldiers and airmen, and POW`s of World War 11.
' I managed to get the right size knitting needles from Italian Dixie can pan handles - about 10 inches when straightened out, the size of number 8 fencing wire. I used sixteen, and sharpened them on the cement ablution block floor to be reasonably suitable.'
For further information on Jim`s Simpson`s Rug visit the Corryong Man from Snowy River Museum.
www.manfromsnowyrivermuseum. com.au
Towong Victoria
Shire Council The place to be
A champion story - A true gentleman - A man of vision with indomnitable spirit A very proud Australian
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au
