Lang,
The Kangaroo shape from the Australian penny was the authorised sign from the outset (1939). How Troops interpreted that in the field was another matter, of course, but also keep in mind that we are dealing with a No.3 or 3A trailer that did not come into existence until 1943.
The original 6 Division sign proposed was a kangaroo surrounded by three Roman 'II' between three boomerangs, each 'II' standing for 2nd AIF, and, when combined, adding to '6' for '6 Div'. The kangaroo in this instance was, as you say: 'sort of a rat with a hump on its neck' and with the legs near-vertical.
But this was immediately rejected and on 7 December 1939, with the simpler kangaroo over a boomerang design suggested and subsequently adopted prior to the departure of the first contingent. The instruction from the MGO was that the 'kangaroo on the Australian Penny should be clearly followed in design and position of jumping with relation to the vertical.' All subsequent authorised 6 Div signs follow this pattern.
Mike C
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