Pocket watch and leather case : Lieutenant W G Scales, 21 Battalion

Watch and leather case. The watch has a green and grey face with vertical black stripes, a small dial for seconds at the six o'clock position and the words, 'WESTCLOX DAX' below the numeral twelve. The winder and suspension ring are missing. The crystal and the bezel are detached from the body. The leather case has a loop for attachment to a belt and folds out with an open pocket for viewing the enclosed watch. The catch to secure the leather closing flap is missing.

Born in Mitta Mitta Victoria in 1895, William Gordon 'Bill' Scales was working as an axeman when he enlisted in the AIF on 12 June 1915. Private Scales embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915 with 24 Battalion reinforcements. Private Scales served on Gallipoli from September 1915, until he was evacuated to Malta with dysentery in mid November. In March 1916 he went to France, and served with 24 Battalion on the Western Front through 1916. He was transferred to 21 Battalion on 11 May 1917 and promoted to second lieutenant. Scales was awarded the Military Medal for his actions during the capture of trenches near Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. In mid October 1917, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Prior to this he received a gunshot would to his thigh resulting in the amputation of his right leg early in 1918. He returned to Australia later that year.