From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleTrench Art:Cigarette/Trinket Box
About this objectPolished wood trinket/cigarette box with hinged lid, with handles made of rifle cartridges. The inscription: Ypres, 31.9.17-21.10.17 is carved into brass recovered from spent charge cases. The box was produced by an unknown Australian soldier using war debris from the battlefield. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not on the front line during the Great War.
Sometimes, that escape came in the form of creative, artistic outlets that served a twofold purpose: to make the most of one’s free time, and to produce souvenirs to bring back home to the UK and Australia as a reminder of their service to the nation. Soldiers sometimes even created such art to sell to raise funds for their families.
Near the Belgian town of Ypres, Salient on the Western Front, Australians fought in one of the Great War's most costly and horrific campaigns. Many of them died or were wounded in the epic struggle. In the September 1917 offensive, during the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele), Allied and British Empire forces tried to roll back the German positions along the low-lying ridges south of Ypres and break through the German lines towards the Channel coast. The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) played a significant role in key battles, including the Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Battle of Polygon Wood.
The maker of this box most likely participated in these battles and was a material reminder of his actions and to other deceased soldiers in his battalion. An interesting note is that the date is incorrect; September has 30 days, not 31.
MakerUnknown
Maker RoleAIF Solider
Date Madec. 1917
PeriodEarly-20th-Century
Place MadeThe Western Front
Medium and MaterialsWood
Metal
Silver
Inscription and MarksYpres: 31.9.17-21.10.17
Measurements260mm width x 90mm height x 110mm diameter
Subject and Association KeywordsWestern Front
Subject and Association KeywordsThe Great War
Subject and Association KeywordsTrench art
Subject and Association KeywordsYpres
Subject and Association KeywordsAustralian Imperial Force (AIF)
Credit LinePurchased
Object TypeDecorative Woodwork
Object number2025.957
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
