Framed, autographed hardtack biscuit : Gunner J O Jones 1 Field Artillery Brigade

Framed and glazed ship's biscuit from the SS Osterley. On the front is handwritten in ink 'WITH LOVE TO HATTIE FROM JACK (illegible). On the reverse is a number of autographs of First World War servicemen surrounding a photograph of King George V.

This biscuit was sent back to Australia in 1917 from 31987 Gunner John Owen Jones to Miss Harriett Hills.

Jones was a thirty six year old blacksmith from Sydney when he enlisted in the AIF on 8 October 1916. He embarked for overseas service aboard RMS Osterley on 10 February 1917 as a member of 1 Field Artillery Brigade, 24 Reinforcements. Disembarking in Plymouth on 11 April Jones marched into the Australian Artillery Reserve Brigade, Larkhill. He remained with this unit for six months, apart from a two week period in September when he was hospitalised with a sprained ankle.

Proceeding overseas to France on 18 October Jones was taken on strength by 8 Field Artillery Brigade; he remained with this unit until the end of the war. Disembarking in England on 20 May 1919 Jones returned to Australia aboard Prinz Hubertus, arriving in Sydney on 26 August. He married Miss Harriett Hills in Paddington later that year.