The Department of Home Security was a civilian organisation under the control of the Australian government during the period from 1941 to 1946. Its main function was to advise the government of civil defence matters as well as research and development. A section within the DHS was setup to study camouflage and its application with those working within it becoming known as "camoufleurs", the word being taken from the french. Despite the term "accredited camoufleur" on their shoulder flash, their official title following 1943 was "Camouflage Officer"