Verners Pattern VIII Prismatic Compass : C Degnan, Durham Light Infantry

Verner's Pattern No VIII prismatic compass with circular brass body marked with degrees on exterior side, with hinged glassed lid, prism viewer, momentary bearing lock pin-button and compass rose transit lock button. An automatic lock lever is attached to the lid. The dry floating compass rose card is finished in mother of pearl and marked in 5 degree increments on an inner ring, with a second outer ring displaying one degree increments, with numbers reversed. The rim of the lid is impressed 'Verner's Pattern VIII', while a polished brass disc on the reverse is impressed '[broad arrow symbol] S. MORDAN & CO 97844 1918' along with a pair of facing broad arrow symbols, indicating legal disposal. There is a hinged brass suspension ring secured to the top of the casing. Supplied with an unlined leather storage case with hinged lid with leather securing strap and metal buckle. The strap is broken at one end. The face of the case is impressed 'Wolfsky London 1917'. The user's son has also impressed his initials (J.E.D.) into both sides of the case at a later date.

Related to the service of 4263909 Charles Degnan, an Englishman who enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers in October 1924. From the end of April 1925 to the end of January 1926 he served as a member of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) occupation forces. By this stage, the occupation, started in 1919, had been wound down to two Rhine Brigades (of which the Northumberlands were a member of the 1st Rhine Brigade) and a few supporting troops. The BAOR was finally disbanded in 1929. In the meantime, Degnan was transferred to India (4 March 1927 to 1 March 1931), and then China (2 March 1931 - 29 December 1931) before returning to England. During his postings overseas Degnan contracted sandfly fever and malaria in India.

On 7 September 1939 Degnan resigned from the Fusiliers and joined the Durham Light Infantry. As the Regiment prepared to leave for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, he was issued with this compass. Due to a lack of compasses on charge, the British Army had appealed for public donations of compasses. It is suspected this example was disposed of in 1919 or 1920 and donated back to the Army in 1939. Degnan's son states:'He had this for the duration of the war and brought it home with him.' The compass is a 1918 issue of the popular and ubiquitious Verners Pattern prismatic, the design of which originated in 1895. The unit was produced in eight different formats, being continually upgraded until the issue of the Mk VIII between 1917 and 1920. This example was made by silversmiths S Mordan and Co of London - one of 40 makers of this pattern of compass, with a leather storage pouch made by Wolfsky of London, a prominent leather bag and suitcase maker.

During the action in France and Belgium in 1940, Degnan was strafed by a German fighter whilst marching a group of German prisoners back to his lines. The attack killed a fellow soldier, hit some of the prisoners and put a hole through the rim of Degnan's helmet. After being evacuated back the England, Degnan's unit was posted to the Middle East. In late 1942 he suffered a gushot wound to his upper back which forced his evacuation. He was transferred to the Royal Engineers on 15 March 1943 and remained with them until the end of the war, serving in the Middle East. He and his wife emgrated to Australia in 1964.

• Leather storage pouch for Verners Pattern VIII Prismatic Compass : C Degnan, Durham Light Infantry