Souvenir brooch, HMT Czaritza : Corporal W Jacobs, 3 Pioneer Battalion AIF

Enamelled brooch with the Union Jack crossed with a red flag bearing a lion rampant. Beneath is blue scroll work with the words 'HMT Czaritza'. The circular backing plate is made from mother of pearl. The pin of the fastener is missing.

Associated with the service of 2581 Corporal William Jacobs, a 19 year old farm labourer from Mooroolbark, Victoria, who enlisted on 27 May 1916. He embarked with the 4th reinforcements of 3 Pioneer Battalion on 21 October 1916 from Melbourne on board HMAT Port Melbourne. Jacobs arrived at Devonport, England on 28 December 1916. After two months training in England he travelled to France in SS Golden Eagle, where he served with 3 Pioneer Battalion. On 6 September 1919 Jacobs left England to return home on board HMAT Euripides, arriving in Melbourne on 20 October. Jacobs later served in Australia during the Second World War. HMT Czaritza was built by Barclay, Curle & Company Limited, Glasgow in 1915 for the Russian American Line. She was launched on 14 February 1915. In 1917 she came under Cunard management and was used as a troopship. In 1921 she was sold and renamed 'Lituania'. According to his service papers, Jacobs was not a passenger in HMT Czaritza, however it is possible he was transported between England and France across the English Channel in her at some point, or that he obtained this brooch through another soldier.