General service whistle : Sergeant A E Lock, 2 Field Artillery Brigade, AFA

Nickel plated brass escargot style general service whistle with cork ball. Stamped near the mouthpiece is 'J.HUDSON&Co / BIRMINGHAM / 1915'. The right hand side of the whistle has been hand etched with 'A.LOCK'. Attached to the suspension loop is a plain brown leather lanyard with a knot at the end.

Whistles of varying designs and size were issued to officers across the Australian army in the First World War. They were used by officers to communicate and command troops to action across a large area.

This general service whistle was issued to 29888 Temporary Sergeant Albert Ernest Lock, Australian Field Artillery, in the First World War. Born in Bridgewater, South Australia, he worked as a clerk prior to enlistment. He proceeded to France in March 1917 and transferred to 102 Howitzer Battery, 2 Field Artillery Brigade.

On the morning of 9 October 1917 in France, Lock was wounded by shellfire. A piece of shrapnel was lodged in his chest, and he died en route to a dressing station.

This whistle was returned to Lock's mother, Mary Jessie Ann, along with other personal effects in March 1918, which included letters, keys, a key chain and souvenir cartridges.