| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/11968 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Foodstuff – dry |
| Maker |
Williams, James |
| Place made | At sea |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Inscribed Ship's biscuit : Gunner J Williams, 22 Howitzer Brigade, AIF
Description
RAN ship's biscuit stamped on one side 'AULSEBROOK NAVY SYDNEY' and has written '32054 SGT J. WILLIAMS 22ND F.A.B'. The other side has the message in ink, 'TO MY DARLING WIFIE GOD BE WITH YOU AND PROTECT YOURS AND MINE TILL WE MEET AGAIN FROM HUBBY J. WILLIAMS AT SEA GOING TO SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE'.
History / Summary
Hard tack letter Soldier's ration biscuits were notoriously hard and many soldiers made a joke of sending them as letters.
Sergeant James Williams wrote this one to his "Darling Wifie" Edith as he sailed to France in 1917. Williams served with the artillery and the postal service and was returned home in late 1917 with multiple growth on his skin and was discharged medically unfit. He applied for an army pension in 1918 but was rejected as his illness not due to war service (he had noticed his first growth four years earlier). Williams died in 1945.