| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/00495 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Copper, Metal |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: The Anzac Story: Gallipoli: Life at Anzac 1 |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London, Wandsworth, Wandsworth |
| Date made | c. 1915-1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Rising Sun serviette rings : Wandsworth Military Hospital, United Kingdom
Description
Six souvenir serviette rings made from metal Rising Sun hat badges and circular copper driving bands which have been attached to the rear. All six are stored in a decorative lined jewel case.
History / Summary
This set of six 'trench art' serviette rings was made from Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Rising Sun hat badges taken from the uniforms of Australian soldiers killed at Gallipoli and copper driving bands from Turkish shells. Australian soldiers who were recovering at Wandsworth Military Hospital in London made this particular set. It was sent to the battle cruiser HMAS Australia (which was based for much of the First World War in the United Kingdom) to be raffled on behalf of the inmates of the hospital. The winner of the raffle Tasman Lefroy Backcoller later donated the set to the National Collection.
They are one example from the immensely diverse 'trench art' industry which were produced for or by many members of the AIF during and after the First World War.