German Scherenfernrohr SF09 Stereoscopic telescope and case : Sergeant J W Williamson, 2 Signal Squadron, AIF

German Scherenfernrohr SF09 telescope hinged at the bottom in a scissor arrangement. The magnification is 10x45 and has an elevation angle measuring device which consists of a spirit level in a tube. On the obverse of the right prism case is the number '371110'. Written in German on the top right periscope reverse is 'klemme lösen bevor arme bewegt werden'. The bottom cover of the prism housing has two artillery symbols and 'S.F. 09. Nr6487' and the makers mark 'C.P. / GOERZ / BERLIN'. The leather case has a strap for carrying and has a buckle for closure. The inside of the lid has, written in pencil '6487' below this is some writing in what appears to be Arabic. Inside the case there are various compartments for spare components and a wooden spacer to help with securing the telescope while in transit.

This Stereoscopic telescope was acquired by Sergeant James Wight Williamson in Palestine in 1917. Williamson was born in June 1894 in Sydney. A fitter and turner in civilain life, he had served in the militia with the 24th Signals Company before the First World War. At the age of 20, Williamson enlisted in Sydney on 31 October 1914. He was given the rank of lance-corporal and was posted to 2nd Signals Troop, AIF.

Williamson embarked form Australia three days before Christmas 1914 and after about two months in Egypt Williamson proceeded to Gallipoli on the 4 April 1915. After landing on the 25 April he was by mid August in hospital with abscesses and had to be moved to Malta for treatment. Williamson left Malta at the beginning of December for Egypt and rejoined his unit in Maadi. Early in April 1916 Williamson was promoted the corporal and made a motorcyclist rider within his troop.

Williamson returned to hospital on the 23 July with a skin disorder and spent a month recovering before returning to his unit on the 11 August 1916. By early December he was again in hospital and was discharged at the end of February 1917. Williamson went straight into signals instruction with the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment in Alexandria. He completed the training by 28 June though he spent two weeks during this period in hospital.

It was within the last 6 months of 1917 while in Palestine after returning to his unit, Williamson acquired the telescope. He was riding his bike over a hill when he came across a party of Turks have a meal. Luckily for Williamson they had stacked their rifles and he was able to ride between them and their guns while drawing his weapon. He then snatched a heavy leather case with a strap and rode off at speed. On later inspection he found that the case contained this telescope.

After returning to camp the binoculars were stolen from Williamson. At the end of June 1918 Williamson was promoted to lance-sergeant. He transferred to the 2nd Signals Squadron on 10 July 1918, becoming a full sergeant ten days later.

In November 1918 Williamson was granted '1914 leave' to return to Australia. Just before his departure, an officer who knew Williamson lived near him in Sydney asked him take some things home to his family. While travelling to Alexandria to embark for Australia, Williamson could feel through the bag something that felt like the telescope he had acquired. Discovering that it was the same telescope he then took it back into his possession. Williamson was eventually discharged on the 24 February 1919.