Sweetheart brooch : Private J W Biggs, 4 Machine Gun Battalion

Voided mother of pearl handmade sweetheart brooch featuring a gloved hand holding a laurel wreath, with 'Mother' in script font beneath. Attached to the reverse is a metal chain with a pin.

It is thought this brooch was made in Egypt or the Middle East during the First World War. It is an example of commercially produced handmade 'sweetheart' jewellery. Often worn by female relatives or a girlfriend, wife or in this case mother, these brooches were a symbol of pride, support and affection for a loved one serving in the armed forces.

This brooch is believed to have been posted by 427 John William Biggs to his mother Mary Anne Biggs (nee Hughes) in Australia in 1917. He would have purchased it during a period of leave.

Born in Yarram, Victoria in 1897, Biggs' enlisted in the 2nd Cyclist Battalion on 24 May 1916 for overseas service. In late May 1917 he transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion and proceeded to France from England. In early April 1918 he was reported missing and officially confirmed as a prisoner of war the next month. Biggs was interned at Gissen, Germany for the remainder of the war. He was repatriated and returned to Melbourne on 10 September 1919. It is reported that he returned with snow white hair from his war experience.

His family also recall that Biggs was devoted to his mother. This brooch would have been a daily reminder to Mary of his absence and internment.