This Original 1941 Australian Army Shell Dressing, produced by Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd, Sydney, is a genuine World War II medical issue used by Australian forces. The shell dressing was designed to treat larger or more serious wounds on the battlefield, providing rapid protection against dirt and infection until medical attention was available. Each dressing consists of a sterile, sealed compress and bandage, packed in a durable light khaki cotton wrapper with clearly printed black text, including the manufacturer’s details and 1941 date of issue.
These early-war Johnson & Johnson examples demonstrate the high standard of Australian wartime medical production and the country’s growing self-reliance during the conflict. Many show light storage ageing but remain fully sealed and legible. A highly collectible piece of WWII Australian military medical equipment, perfect for ANZAC displays, reenactment collections, or museum exhibits focusing on field medicine and Pacific campaigns.