Shell case photograph frame : Private J C Arney, Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 16 Brigade AIF

Polished brass photograph frame made out of the shaped base of a MK IV 18 pounder shell casing. An oval cutout at the front displays a Kodak print of baby in a rocker in front of a suburban house. The photograph is protected by a layer of Perspex. A copper Rising Sun collar badge is soldered just above the cutout. The photo is held into the frame by a thick brass casting, slightly larger than the cutout, which is itself held against the back of the frame by the top half a soldered 20 mm bullet. The base of the 18 pounder is stamped with the following details: '18 PDR IV 527 CF MF ^ 85 1941', while the primer is stamped 'EMMCO 6/40 16 ME 9/40 319 NO II ^ 89'.

This frame was made by John Charles Arney during the Second World War. Arney was born in Helensburgh, NSW on the 27 November 1918. He was a motor mechanic before enlisting on the 26 October 1939. He served with 2/3 Battalion before being transferred to Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 16 Brigade. He was promoted to Corporal on the 24 January 1944 and discharged on the 7 March 1945. The frame holds a photograph of John's son, John Michael Arney.