Sweetheart brooch : I E Don

Sweetheart brooch made from a sterling silver brooch in the shape of a wreath, with a hand made and engraved brass rising sun attached to the face. The Rising Sun has had the points, King's Crown and scroll detailed. Within the scroll 'AUSTRALIAN C.WEALTH / M. FORCES' has been engraved. On the reverse of the brooch 'STERLING' has been impressed. The horizontally mounted pin and hook catch have broken off.

Associated with the service of Private Leonard St Clair Don, who made this brooch for his wife Irene during his service abroad with the AIF. Often worn by female relatives and/or a girlfriend or wife, the brooches were a symbol of pride, support and affection for a loved one serving in the armed forces

Don was born on 1 February 1893 in Casino, New South Wales. After leaving school, he became a carpenter. He was also a skilled musician and was involved in several bands in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

During a trip to Ipswich, Queensland he met Irene Ellice Frazier and they were married on 23 December 1914 in Queensland, before moving to Casino, NSW. Their first child Leonard Percival Lloyd Don was born on 11 April in Casino. During the next year, the family returned to Queensland, staying at Ipswich.

Don enlisted in the AIF in Brisbane on 4 December 1916 and was posted to the 24th reinforcements to the 9th Infantry Battalion. After completing his training, he embarked with the rest of his unit from Sydney aboard HMAT Ayrshire on 24 January 1917, disembarking in Devonport, England on 13 April.

He marched in to the 3rd Training Battalion, where he stayed until March 1918. After being sent to France, he was posted to the 47th Battalion, which at that time was resting in the Meteren area.

The Germans launched Operation Michael at the end of the month and Don saw his first and only action near Dernancourt. He was badly wounded in the chest on 28 March and was initially reported as 'killed in action'. However, he had been evacuated back to England to the Kitchener Military Hospital where he underwent treatment for his wounds. The War Department later reported to the Don family that he was alive but wounded.

Don was discharged to the Overseas Training Brigade at Sutton Veny in September, before returning to the 3rd Training Battalion, where due to the disbanding of the 47th Battalion, he was posted to the 15th Battalion. The war ended before he could be sent back to France and Don returned to Australia on 9 March 1919 where he was discharged on 2 June.

During the 1920's, Don served in the militia with the 14th Light Horse Regiment and began to work with Queensland Railways. When the Second World War broke out, he continued to work for the Queensland railways, as well as looking after his wife's extended family. Their son Leonard enlisted for service in the Second AIF in 1941.