Shorts : Bombardier J Keenan, 2/10 Field Regiment AIF

Cotton hand made drawstring shorts made from a rice bag. The back pocket is missing on the right hand side but the mother of pearl button still remains.

Shorts made by Bombardier James Keenan QX13182 for Alan Gauld. James Keenan QX13182 was born in Gympie, Queensland on 12 February 1901. His had previously been employed as a truck driver, but was working as a tailor when he enlisted at Mackay on the 3 July 1940. On the 15 July 1940 he was taken on strength into the 2/10th Field Regiment. He embarked for service overseas, disembarking at Singapore on 18 February 1941. Keenan was taken prisoner during the Japanese advance on 15 February 1942. He was a prisoner for over three years until 20 August 1945 when he was recovered from Siam. Keenan embarked at Singapore for Moreton Bay on 15 October 1945. He arrived at Sydney on the 1 November 1945 and was discharged on the 6 December 1945 due to a medical condition. QX10129 Bombardier Alan Forbes Gauld was born on 11 September 1915. Before enlistment with 2/10 Field Regiment at Toowoomba on 19 June 1940 he worked as a garage proprietor. On the 22 October 1940 Gauld was promoted to acting bombardier and detached to Singapore for duty on the 26 April 1941 and joined the 2/26 Battalion. On 15 February 1942 he was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner of War and became part of D Force. In March 1943 D force left Changi prisoner of war camp in Singapore for Thailand. Gauld was reported alive at Sian on the 22 August 1945 and was rescued. On 15 November 1945 he embarked from Singapore to Moreton Bay. Gauld was discharged from the AIF on the 4 April 1946. These shorts were hand made out of a rice bag. The drawstring was made from a vine and the whole garment is hand stiched.