Trench marker, 'Q5 to Firing Line' : Shell Green, Gallipoli

Rectangular Shell Petroleum tin adapted to make an illuminated trench marker. The front and back of the tin are impressed 'SHELL MOTOR SPIRIT'. The sides are both impressed 'SHELL'. The top of the tin is impressed with the Shell company logo in the centre. One corner of the top has the text 'PETROLEUM / SPIRIT / HIGHLY / FLAMMABLE' in raised letters. In the corner diagonally across from this text is a hole for filling and emptying the tin. In the two other corners are 'D' shaped soldering marks, where the handle was once located. The tin is torn within the area of the solder marks.

The tin now has an inert rusted finish, but would have originally been coated in red enamel paint. On the front of the tin, over the impressed Shell details, is punched the text 'Q5 / TO / FIRING / LINE'. The text has been created by nail punch, which forms the outline of each letter and number. The side of the tin has been cut to form a rectangular 'door' to allow a candle to be inserted inside the tin to illuminate the text at night. There is a small shrapnel hole in the front of the tin, and another in the side 'door'.

This trench marker was found on the hill (probably Bolton's Hill on Bolton's Ridge) above Shell Green in January 1919 by members of the Australian War Records Section (AWRS). The small party of AWRS staff, led by Lieutenant William Hopkin James, worked on Gallipoli between December 1918 to March 1919, taking photographs and collecting items for the national collection

This trench marker was made from a Shell petrol tin. The re-use of materials, such as tins and wooden boxes, was commonplace at Gallipoli, especially during the early stages of the campaign, when there were major difficulties with supplies.

Q5 was a trench or sap leading to the firing line. This marker could be illuminated by a candle placed inside it, to assist soldiers making their way in the dark.