Commemorative handkerchiefs : Miss E Waters-Trendall

A boxed set of six handkerchiefs. The handkerchiefs are embroidered with circus themed figures including clowns, a jack in the box, an elf, a gollywog and a ringmaster. With the handkerchiefs is a heart-shaped piece of cardboard printed with the inscription 'SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S TOKEN OF LOVE AND HONOR TO THE DAUGHTER OF A HERO CHRISTMAS 1920'. It is signed by the governor of South Australia, 'Archibald Weigall', South Australian Premier, 'H Newman Barwell', and Adelaide mayor, 'Frank B Moulden'.

At Christmas in 1920 the South Australian government presented gifts to the children of deceased First World War soldiers. This boxed set of childrens handkerchiefs was presented to Miss Eileen Waters, daughter Mrs Winifred Mabel Waters (later Trendall) and 4542 Private Johny Waters who died in France on 7 March 1917. Private Waters, a 23 year old motor driver, 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. In 1922 Mrs Waters married a returned soldier, 1452 Driver Richard Trendall. Miss Waters-Trendall went on to serve as an aircraftwoman with the RAAF during the Second World War.