| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL35329 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Cotton drill |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Kitbag : Driver G H Simmie, 2 Field Artillery Brigade, AIF
Description
Small khaki cotton kitbag with plaited rope drawstring and cotton reinforced lace eyelets around the edge of the opening. The side of the bag is stencilled in black ink with the words: '960 C.H. SIMMIE. 2ND. F.A.B.' The bag base is stencilled in black with the service number: '960'. Inside the bag opening is an illegible black manufacturer's stamp with '1918' visible.
History / Summary
George Herbert Simmie was born at Moama, New South Wales in 1895. He was serving in the militia with 20 Artillery Battery and working as a clerk in Sunshine, Victoria when he enlisted in the AIF on 19 August 1914. After initial training he was assigned to the 4th Battery of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade as a Driver, with the service number 960. He embarked with his unit aboard HMAT Shropshire (A9) at Melbourne on 20 October 1914.
His unit served at Gallipoli from the initial landing, and in March 1916 arrived at Marseille for the fighting in France. On 2 August 1917 Simmie sustained a gunshot wound to both thighs near Hazebrouck, which saw him hospitalised in England, but he had returned to his unit by the end of the month. He was granted ANZAC leave, and embarked for his return to Australia on 20 November 1918.