Wristwatch : Padre A W McIlveen, Salvation Army

Place Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk
Accession Number REL/04220
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Stainless steel; leather
Maker Mido Multifort
Place made Switzerland
Date made c 1940-1941
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Silver wristwatch with a black dial bearing luminous hands and numerals, and a small second hand at the bottom of the watch. The dial is marked 'Mido MULIFORT'. The watch has a black leatherette strap, possibly a replacement for the original band. One side of the strap has a nickel plated buckle and is attached to the watch with a brass rivet. The other side of the strap has been broken and has been reattached to the watch using green wool. The back of the watch is impressed with manufacturer's information and is also finely engraved in the centre 'TO PADRE A. W. MCILVEEN FROM TRANSPORT 9TH BN. 3.9.41.'

History / Summary

The watch was presented to Salvation Army Padre A W McIlveen, who was beseiged with the Australian forces at Tobruk, because of a reputation he gained for never knowing the time. He was associated with the Transport Section in Tobruk during the siege and often asked for a lift with any vehicle going in the direction of the perimeter.