Folding trench periscope : Sergeant E W Hammond, 11 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Place Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli
Accession Number REL/01977
Collection type Technology
Object type Optical equipment
Physical description Glass, Leather, Metal
Maker Unknown
Date made c.1914
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Folding concertina type metal trench periscope finished in an overall medium green coloured paint. In the top and bottom viewing apertures is a piece of rectangular shaped of glass. The trench periscope comes complete with a natural leather case with attached buckle for securing the folding top. Marked on case are the names Kirwen and No. 24 Edwards 28/9/15.

History / Summary

During the Gallipoli campaign Australian and New Zealand troops used both specially made and improvised trench periscope for observing the Turkish and German held trenches opposite them. This folding metal trench periscope, associated with the service of Sergeant Ernest Waldemar Hammond, is an example of the former. Hammond originally enlisted as 24 Private Ernest Edwards. He revealed his true name in 1917. 28 September 1915 on the periscope refers the the day he landed at Gallipoli.

Prior to joining the AIF, Hammond volunteered to be part of a civilian battalion raised in Queensland, mainly from rifle clubs, to serve in the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force. The ill-equipped and inexperienced battalion, known as the ‘Dirty 500’, were embroiled in a mutiny on board SS ‘Kanowna’ by the stokers shortly after joining the main force and the ship was ordered back to Australia before the men could see any service. The battalion was disbanded following its return.

Undeterred, Hammond enlisted in the AIF on 3 February 1915 and was posted as a trooper, service number 24 with 11 Light Horse Regiment. For unknown reasons, he enlisted under the name Ernest Edwards but declared his real name by statutory declaration in 1917.

Hammond saw service on Gallipoli from 29 August to the last day of the evacuation on 20 December 1915. Following subsequent service in the Middle East he returned to Australia in July 1919 and was discharged on 29 December. In 1935 he published a history of the 11th Light Horse Regiment.