Sterling Silver Vesta Match Holder : Private J Siddle, 3 Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent

A rectangular vesta match holder made from sterling silver with a hinged opening lid and flint at bottom for lighting matches. The front features a leaf engraved pattern with a plain circle central with initials 'MB to JS', all enclosed with a dotted rectangular border. The back has been diagonally divided with a leaf pattern on the left and a flower with leaves on the right. It also has a dotted rectangular border. The vesta match holder has four hallmarks on an inside lip indicating that it was made by Robert Pringle and Sons out of Sterling Silver in Chester, England 1900.

This vesta match holder was given to Private John Siddle of the 3rd Victorian (Bushman's) Contingent as a going away present before leaving for South Africa. The vesta case held phosphorus matches. The bottom of the case has several grooves in which the match could be struck and the friction would cause the phosphorus to ignite. 591 Private John Siddle enlisted with the 3rd (Bushmen's) Contingent in early 1900. He embarked for South Africa from Melbourne on board the Euryalus on 10 March 1900, arriving in South Africa on 3 April. Siddle went missing at Eland's River on the 2 September 1900 and was found to have been taken prisoner. His captivity was short as he was released on the 11 October 1900 and rejoined his unit. He was severely wounded at Wolvers Kuil on the 14 February 1901. After spending over a year in South Africa, the 3rd (Bushmen's) Contingent embarked for Melbourne on 9 May 1901.