Fob watch : Private J Waters, 27 Battalion, AIF

Fob watch engraved on the reverse with 'TO MR J.WATERS from employees of Laundries Limited Bowden SA 29/1/16'. The watch has a white face with black roman numerals and minute graduations, and a sweep dial for counting seconds. The hands and numbers II, III, IIII, V, X, XI and XII are marked with luminescent paint. There is a brass winding crown at the top of the watch and a circular brass loop for attachment to a chain.

Associated with the service of 4542 Private Johny Waters. Born in Cornwall, England, Waters migrated to Australia with his family at the age of 4 and settled in South Australia. As a 23 year old motor driver he enlisted with 27 Battalion on 20 December 1915. He embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Shropshire on 23 March 1916 and proceeded to join his unit in France in December. On 27 February 1917 during the German withdrawal to the new Hindenburg Line defences, Waters was wounded in action. He had been fighting at Malt Trench, between Warlencourt and le Barque in France and received a severe gun shot wound to the head which fractured his skull. He was admitted to 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital but later died of his wounds on 7 March. He is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery, France.