German bent smoking pipe: Captain Duncan Victor Mulholland, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, AIF

A German pipe of bent or full-bent pattern, constructed in two parts, a stem and a bowl. The stem is construced from ebonite and the bowl from wood, possibly briar, and unknown metal, possibly chromed iron or nickel plated iron. The bowl has been lined with metal and has a metal cap at the bottom. The hinged lid is attatched with metal rivets. The region of the mouthpiece has two holes bitten into it as a direct result of clamping between the user's teeth. The stem piece is a loose fit to the bowl.

German smoking pipe picked up from the battlefield by Duncan Victor Mulholland. Mulholland, of Petersham, Sydney, was 23 years old and working as a bank clerk when he enlisted on 13 February 1915. He was assigned to 12th Australian Light Horse on 7 October 1915 at Gallipoli before being promoted to corporal (machine gun section) three weeks later. He rejoined his unit on 13 November and was attached to the anti-aircraft section. Two weeks later he was transferred to 3rd Battalion and promoted second lieutenant.

After the evacuation from Gallipoli, Mulholland trained in Egypt before being sent to France with his Battalion. He was promoted to lieutenant on 24 March 1916 and on 1 April he was seconded for duty with 1st Machine Gun Company; he was promoted to captain on 28 December 1916, attending Machine Gun Training School in England in January. On 26 September 1917 he was made commander of 3rd Machine Gun Company; on 1 April 1918 they changed their designation to 1st Machine Gun Battalion.

On 31 May 1918, according to the Battalion's War Diary 'Captain DV Mulholland, o/c 3rd Coy was wounded by shell fire this morning at 8:30 and died of wounds at 11 am. This is a severe blow to the battalion as he was a gallant, painstaking and efficient officer with good experience.'

This German pipe was in his effects which were received by his mother. Duncan Mulholland is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery