Brown Leather Binocular Case: Lieutenant Charles Ernest Steadman, 51 Battalion, AIF

Battle damaged brown leather binocular case. This case has a hinged leather flap which is secured to the case on the front by a brass buckle. It has the remains of two leather retainers either side of the case for a leather sling, each rivetted to the body of the case by alloy rivets. Similar rivets also attach a leather hinge for the lid, and a pair of leather belt buckles on the reverse. The interior of the case is lined with velveteen.

Markings: stamped into strap on flap 'G. BATTLE CO 1916/ 2 1/2'.

This shredded webbing equipment, leather holster and binoculars case were being worn by Lieutenant Charles Ernest Steadman, 51st Battalion, AIF when he was blown up by a shell near Harbonnieres, France on 24 August 1918. Remarkably unwounded, he was nonetheless evacuated suffering from concussion. This equipment was kept by the commanding officer of his battalion, who handed to the Australian War Records Section shortly afterwards.

This was not the first time Steadman had been wounded – he had had originally enlisted with 11th Battalion and while at Gallipoli had been hit by shrapnel in his right hand. After being transferred to the newly-formed 51st Battalion, he was wounded for the second time at at Noreuil on 2 April 1917 when he was struck in the left arm by machine gun bullets.

His recovery from this, his third wound, although 'only' a concussion, did occur until after the Armistice on 11 November. Steadmane returned to Australia at the end of 1918, after meeting and marrying Gertrude May Sparkes, who followed him out to Australia a year later.

This leather binocular case has been extensively damaged by the explosion, with numerous tears and punctures caused by shrapnel. It is likely the enclosed field glasses absorbed some of the force of the explosion.