Gold crucifix and chain : Lieutenant H N Bott, 4 Division Artillery, AIF

Chisel engraved gold crucifix and chain. The cross is in the shape of a French cross botonne (also known as a cross treflee). The front of the cross has been elaborately engraved at the end of each arm, together with a halo above the head of Christ and the letters 'J S' on either side of his head. The figure of Christ has been separately made and later applied to the cross. The back of the cross is plain. Chain consists of a series of lightly engraved ellipses, joined to each other by seven fine gold links.

This crucifix and chain was worn by Lieutenant (Lt) Harold Nicol Bott who served with 4 Division Artillery. Lt Bott was born in Armidale, New South Wales, in 1895 and enlisted on 28 August 1915. In 1917 he was wounded in action in France and returned to Australia on 30 January 1918. In 1917 he and some of his men were billetted in a French chateau owned by an elderly couple who became very fond of him. When he received orders to move they asked him to accompany them to the local church where they had arranged for the priest to bless a crucifix they had brought with them. It was placed around Bott's neck and he was told that while he continued to wear it no harm would come to him. Lt Bott was later wounded and affected by mustard gas. After being transported to a casualty clearing station he was pronounced dead and taken to the morgue. Later, an orderly passing between the bodies stopped to look at the crucifix and saw Bott's eyelid's flicker. He was returned to the hospital and was later sent to England for further hospitalisation and convalescence before being sent home. During the Second World War, from 1939-1941, Bott served as a captain with 15 Light Horse Regiment at Grafton and later, after the regiment became mechanised, with the 15 Motor Regiment. He finally served as the adjutant at the Sydney Showground. He died in 1972.