Souvenir brooch : Private H A Cressy, 54 Battalion, AIF: Pheasant Wood mass grave, Fromelles

Place Europe: France, Nord Pas de Calais, Nord, Lille, Fromelles
Accession Number REL44975.021
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Metal
Location Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1916: Pheasant Wood
Maker Unknown
Place made France
Date made c 1916
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Souvenir metal brooch for the town of Estaires in northern France. The brooch has a central shield bearing a cross, surmounted by a crown. A voided lion rampant flanks each side of the shield. Beneath is a scroll bearing the words 'ESTAIRES'. The brooch has broken into three sections - shield, crown and lion; separate lion; and scroll. )

History / Summary

Souvenir brooch found with the remains of Private Henry Alfred Cressy, 54 Battalion, AIF in the Pheasant Wood mass grave at Fromelles.

The 54th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 16 February 1916 as part of the “doubling” of the AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 2nd Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 2nd, the 54th was predominantly composed of men from New South Wales. The battalion became part of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division.

Moving to France in June 1916, the 54th fought its first major battle on the Western Front at Fromelles, on 19 July. It was a disaster. The 54th was part of the initial assault and suffered casualties equivalent to 65 per cent of its fighting strength. Casualty rates among the rest of the 5th Division were similarly high, but despite these losses it continued to man the front in the Fromelles sector for a further two months.

Cressy was born in Tamworth, New South Wales and was 21 years and nine months of age when he enlisted on 16 August 1915. He was killed in action at Fromelles on 19/20 1916.