Electric torch : Sergeant G A U'Ren, 8 Field Company Engineers, AIF

British hand torch 250mm in length and powered by four dry cell batteries. Bullseye lens over a small bulb. Spring loaded on/off button located directly behind the lens.
Metal tubular body is heavily corroded and one end has separated. The body is covered in imitation leather oilcloth with a pebble finish. Nickel plated brass mounts have Makers mark ‘EFANDEM Company Ltd 1917’. There is also a serial number 214479 and Broad Arrow. The Efandem Company in Wolverhampton took its name from the initials of the two original directors. During the First World War the company produced torches, torch batteries, searchlights and sirens.

George Albert U'Ren was born in 1887 in Dunedin New Zealand. He and his brother Ernest both enlisted in Melbourne in the 8th Field Company Engineers in January 1916. They were allotted consecutive regimental numbers (George 14692, and Ernest 14691) and during training at Seymour and Moore Park camps, George was made Honorary Corporal. The U'Ren brothers embarked together on troopship Vestalia on 11 July 1916. George had in fact tried to enlist twice before, but had been rejected for his small stature. George was 29 years at enlistment, a patent attorney, and Ernest, younger brother and motor mechanic, was 26.

After five months training on the Salisbury Plain, George and Ernest joined their unit in France on 13 February 1917. Engineers, also known as sappers, were essential to the running of the war. Their responsibilities included constructing lines of defence, temporary bridges, tunnels and trenches, observation posts, roads, railways, communication lines, bathing facilities, and other material and mechanical solutions to the problems associated with fighting in all theatres. The following month, March 1917 George was promoted to full corporal. On 27 October 1917, the company camp near Ypres was shelled. Eleven men were killed, including Ernest who died of his wounds at No. 11 Canadian Field Ambulance Station. He was buried at Ypres Reservoir North Cemetery. George was unhurt and remained with the unit. He was promoted to Temporary Sergeant in April 1918, and full Sergeant the following month.

Sergeant George U'Ren survived the war and was mentioned in dispatches on 16 March 1919 in connection with conspicuous services rendered. He disembarked in Australia in August 1919, and returned to his pre-war patent attorney role in central Melbourne. George U'Ren died in 1963.