Silver Cigarette Case : Signalman John Farquharson, HMAS Lismore

A decorative nickel-silver plated brass cigarette case with sprung clasp and hinged lid featuring a framed scene of a royal Thai hunting party engraved on the cover. The unengraved metal surface framed within the engraving has been finished to produce a darkened finish which contrasts with the engraved detail. The reverse is engraved ' John A. Farquharson / Signalman / H.M.A.S. / Lismore / Singapore / 24.5.41'. The interior surface is machine finished and features a black elastic retaining strap running the width of the case.

Cigarette case purchased in Singapore in May 1941 by S3613 Signalman John Farquharson of HMAS Lismore whilst on service with the RAN. Farquharson, born Daceyville, NSW on 14 February 1921, enlisted on 8 September 1939. He states 'I served on the Lismore, Swan, Vendetta and Yunnan - I was trained for the Navy from the age of 13.' His experience was wide and varied, serving on the corvette HMAS Lismore, escorting the battlecruisers HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse to Singapore just prior to the Japanese attack and their sinking; supporting the invasion of Italy; 'taking the last convoy into Rangoon ... and just keeping out of sight of the Japanese Navy roaming the Indian Ocean'. He was discharged on 13 May 1946. HMAS Lismore had departed Sydney for service on the East Indies Station on 21 February 1941 with sister ship HMAS Bathurst. They arrived at Singapore on 26 March. On completion on 7 April of minor maintenance, both ships commenced anti-submarine patrols off Singapore. Signalman Farquharson states 'we had been stationed in Singapore for some time and whilst there I bought a beautiful engraved silver cigarette case [and] had the case engraved with my name, rank and the ship I was serving on. The case travelled with me through my extensive travels'. In fact, Farquharson purchased the case just two days prior to HMAS Lismore & Bathurst's departure, on 26 May, for the Suez Canal to take up duty with the Red Sea Force.