Trench art prespex diamond pendant with a carved crucifix: Sapper C H F Nunn, 2/4 Field Company

Small vertically aligned perspex diamond bearing a finely executed crucifix with a figure of Christ, which has been carved from the back of the diamond so that the front surface remains smooth.

Associated with the service of NX17369 Sapper Charles Herbert Frederick Nunn who served in the Second World War with 2/4 Field Company Engineers, part of 7 Division. Nunn was born in London, United Kingdom, in March 1911 and later immigrated to Australia. Before the war he served as a private in the militia, in 30 Infantry Battalion (New South Wales Scottish Regiment). He was working as a pipe fitter when he enlisted in the Second AIF in Sydney on 27 May 1940. After training in Australia he sailed with his unit for service in the Middle East, which included a lengthy period in Tobruk. Nunn returned to Australia, via India, in March 1942. 7 Division undertook further training in Australia in preparation for service in New Guinea. 2/4 Field Company arrived at Milne Bay in New Guinea on 7 August 1942 and subsequently fought at Buna. Sapper Nunn contracted malaria at the end of November and was initially evacuated to 2/1 Casualty Clearing Station at Milne Bay before being returned to Australia for further treatment and convalescence on 23 December. He is thought to have made this crucifix pendant during this period. In March 1943 Nunn returned to New Guinea, where he served for another year before 7 Division was withdrawn to Australia. In May 1945 2/4 Field Company moved to Borneo, where it took part in the landings and fighting at Balikpapan. Nunn remained in Borneo until December 1946, when he returned to Australia. He volunteered for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, and was finally discharged from the army in January 1947.