Decorated matchbox holder: Sergeant James Erskine Hale Robinson, 2 Division Signals Company, AIF

Matchbox holder made from a recovered German mess tin found by the owner in Delville Wood and described by the owner as 'battered'. The folded aluminium has been decorated on three sides in very neat punch engraving. One side displays a central decoration of a Rising Sun badge surrounded by the words: "FRANCE', '1916-17', 'BELGIUM', 'SOMME', YPRES' and 'ANCRE'. The other side displays a pair of crossed signal flags accompanied by the words '2' / 'DIV'/ 'SIG' / 'COY'. The 'spine' of the holder displays the words: 'GERMAN DIXIE / FROM / DELVILLE WOOD / NOV / 1916'

Matchbox holder incised by James Erskine Hale Robinson, of Perth, Western Australia. Robinson, a 31 year old contractor enlisted on 18 February 1915 and was posted to the Australian Army Service Corps. He served in Egypt and the Sinai in 1915-16 where he was attached to 2 Division Artillery. In August 1915 he transferred to newly formed 2 Division Signal Company.

Whilst in France in 1916 he was recommended for a Military Medal (once on 14 June and again on 25 September) for his “gallant and masterful work” as a cable sergeant, but it was downgraded to a Mention in Despatches in 1918.

Of the work done making and decorating this matchbox holder, he wrote in 1967 that " the matchbox holder I picked up in Delville Wood as a battered tin dixie." The mess tin is German according to his inscription on the reverse, and it must have been picked up in November 1916 - the date noted on the holder. "The only tools used on the decoration were a pocket knife and a horse shoe nail.”