| Accession Number | REL32870 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Brass, Gold |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Commemorative watch fob : Private Arthur James Johnson, 26 Battalion, AIF
Description
9 carat gold watch fob commenorating Private Arthur James Johnson.
Obverse features engraving of laurel leaf border, surmounted by an upper scroll on which is engraved 'Shire of Tintenbar'. A central waratah over a pair of crossed rifles and a small map of Australia is positioned at the base of the shield.
Reverse is engraved with the inscription 'FOR GOD KING & COUNTRY Pte. A JOHNSON Enlisted Oct 1915 Fell in France Oct 1917.'
Watch fob has been changed into a brooch.
History / Summary
Associated with the service of 4153 Private Arthur James Johnson. Johnson enlisted with 26 Battalion on 14 September 1915 and died of wounds on 12 October 1917, during the assault on Passchendaele. Johnson was one of 32 casualties suffered over three days by an already weakened battalion. Matron Minnie Wood, 44th Casualty Clearing Station related to Johnson's mother, Hannah, that he was "bought to this hospital on 9/10/17 seriously wounded in the chest, his lung was penetrated and this combined with shock left him no chance to recover - he gradually became weaker and died at 3:15 am on 12/10/17. ... At that time we were in a place called "Nine Elms" and it was in the British Cemetery here that Pte Johnson was laid to rest."