Turkish prisoner of war beadwork bag: Major William John Brown, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Multi-coloured loomwork and netting beaded bag with handle, mainly in red, green and white beads, with a smaller number of blue, pink and gold accents. The bag has the words 'TURKISH' on one side and 'PRISONER' on the other, both in red on a white ground, worked in loomwork around the opening of the bag. The loomwork handle, which has a pattern of small flowers, appears to have the initials 'J T' worked into one end.

John William Brown, farmer, born Toowoomba, Queensland in 1872, but claiming to have been born in 1883, enlisted in the AIF on 22 August 1914. He had previously served in the Boer War as a private, service number 44, in A Company, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, and a sergeant, service number 940, in the 1st Commonwealth Horse.

Brown was posted to B Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, as a private, service number 272, but shortly afterwards was appointed Squadron Sergeant Major. The regiment left Brisbane on 24 September, aboard HMAT A15 Star of England. Brown served on Gallipoli and was promoted second lieutenant in May 1915, lieutenant in March 1916 and captain in July 1917. He returned to Australia for three months in 1917 for a 'rest' suffering from debility and neurasthenia. After his return to the regiment he was promoted major in April 1918. Brown was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 14th July 1918 in command of a post near Mussulabeh [Palestine]'. He returned to Australia in June 1919, bringing this bag with him, which he has purchased in Egypt.

Brown suffered from the effects of dysentery and malaria contracted during his service for the rest of his life. He died in 1938.