Militaria

Lot 180    SESSION 1 eSALE ONLINE ONLY (MON 24TH JULY CLOSE FROM 9.30AM    Militaria

Estimate $600
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $460

AUSTRALIA, WWI, handcrafted tribute fob in gold (9ct; 10.86g; 21x34mm), with ring top suspension and a claw set oval cut garnet, the obverse with raised letters, 'AIF' with crossed rifles and inscribed, 'ARS', the reverse inscribed, 'Presented/To/A.R.Smith/By/Bonshaw friends/on his return/from/the War/20.10.17.', the fob is attached to a sterling silver watch chain. Very fine.

Together with small storage box.

1630 Arthur Robert Smith, stockman, age 26, born at Yetman, NSW; Enl.29Feb1916 at Inverell, NSW in 33Bn; Emb.04May1916; Trf to 53Bn 09Sep1916 and to France; to hospital in France 05Nov1916 with pneumonia and dangerously ill; returned to England and admitted to hospital 23Nov1916; RTA 17Mar1917; Disch.20Nov1917.

The following article was published in The Inverell Times, page 2, on Friday 26 October 1917. "There was an overflow gathering at the Bonshaw Public Hall on Saturday afternoon to welcome home Private Arthur Smith. Mr. W. J. Gobbert occupied the chair. He explained the object of the meeting, and extended a welcome home to the returned soldier. "Home Sweet Home" was then sung, and all present sat down to afternoon tea, which was provided by the ladies of Bonshaw.

Mr. Fred Purvis spoke on behalf of the soldier and his parents. Mr. George Phifer also spoke, after which Mr. W. A. Bentley presented Private Smith, on behalf of his Bonshaw friends, with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed, which was pinned on by Miss Beatrice Hallam. After the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow," cheers were given for the King, the returned soldier, and the boys who are still fighting for us.

Private A. Smith was one of the gallant 33rd Battalion. He left Australia about 18 months ago, but did not reach the actual firing line, as he had the misfortune to contract a very serious illness on landing in France, and on that account was invalided home. Still being in a very low condition on reaching Sydney, he had to spend many weeks in hospital there, where he gradually recovered, but apart from that he is now looking remarkably well.

Private Smith has also a brother, Crief (see footnote at end), who returned some months ago, after being twice wounded, and yet another brother, Ernie, who is at present in hospital suffering from wounds, but we are pleased to know he was doing well when last heard of, writes a Bonshaw correspondent.'

Footnote: See lot 290 items attributed to 1599 Crief Oliver Smith.