Postcard from Australian War Contingent Association Christmas gift tin : Lance Corporal H Inglis, 3 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Place Africa: Egypt
Accession Number REL/21753.002
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Paper
Maker J. S. Fry & Sons, Ltd.
Partridge & Love, Ltd.
Place made United Kingdom
Date made 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Postcard from an Australian War Contingent Association Christmas gift tin. The postcard features a series of red, blue, white, yellow and black circles which represent the colours of the allied forces, Belgium, England, France and Russia. Gently rotating the card produces an optical effect where the circles appear to revolve. With the postcard is an envelope addressed to 'Mrs J M Inglis Milne Street Kadina South Australia'. There are two Egyptian postage stamps adhered to the envelope.

History / Summary

The Australian War Contingent Association in London produced gift tins such as this which were distributed to Australian soldiers to celebrate the Christmas and New Year period. This particular tin was given to 153 Lance Corporal Herschel Inglis who sent it home to his mother, Mrs J M Inglis, in Kadina, SA. Inglis, a 29 year old miner, enlisted with A Squadron, 3 Light Horse Regiment on 21 August 1914. In October he sailed from Adelaide aboard HMAT Port Lincoln, arriving in Egypt in mid December. Here, 3 Light Horse Regiment joined 2 and 3 Regiments to form 1 Light Horse Brigade which was deployed to Gallipoli without its horses, landing there on 12 May 1915. While serving on the Gallipoli Peninsula Inglis was hospitalised suffering from influenza and inflammation of connective tissues. In September 1916 he transferred to 12 Battalion and proceeded overseas to France and the Western Front. In May 1917 he received a gun shot wound to his right leg and was evacuated to England for treatment. In November Inglis completed the 14th Rifle Course at the School of Infantry and went on to conduct further training in England before travelling to France and rejoining his unit in July 1918. He was discharged on 22 January 1919.