Leather housewife : Corporal L D Orchard, 10th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF

Private purchase brown leather soldier's housewife (sewing kit) containing reels of white, brown and green thread, two small metal buckles, nine buttons, twine and a number of needles and pins. The housewife can be rolled-up and secured with the attached leather tie. Marked on the outside is a kangaroo and 'Tasmania'.

Housewife used by 2028 Corporal Louis Dale Orchard, born in Launceston, Tasmania. Orchard, a 21 year old bank clerk, enlisted as a gunner with 9th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade on 27 August 1914. He sailed for Egypt aboard HMAT Geelong on 14 October 1914 and, after a period of training, went on to serve at Gallipoli in 1915.

Returning to Egypt in December 1915, Orchard was promoted to bombardier and transferred to 110th Battery, 24th Howitzer Brigade in March 1916. In June he proceeded to France and the Western Front and was promoted to corporal in August. In early 1917 Orchard transferred to 37th Battery, 10th Field Artillery Brigade.

Orchard was wounded in action on 19 April near Reincourt, France, and was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his hands, arm and face. After his recovery he spent several months in England serving with the Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery before rejoining 10th Field Artillery Brigade in France in May 1918. He returned to Australia in December 1918.