German walking stick : Lieutenant G E H Moon, 40 Battalion, AIF

Malacca cane J handle walking stick with elastoplast reinforced end, and rubber ferrule. A small shield shaped plaque, originally attached to the collar with three tacks, has been removed, leaving some small splits.

Associated with the service of George Eric Henry Moon, a solicitor from Devonport, Tasmania, who enlisted for service in the AIF on 17 August 1915, shortly before his 24th birthday. Eric Moon had previously served for three years in the militia in the 91st Infantry (Tasmanian Rangers) Regiment. 3676 Private Moon was assigned to 8th Reinforcements of 26 Battalion, AIF and sailed for overseas service from Melbourne aboard HMAT A12 'Afric' on 5 January 1916. By April 1916 Moon had been promoted to sergeant. He transferred to 1Training Battalion, then saw service in France with 26 Battalion, before transferring permanently to 40 Battalion in November 1916. In June 1917 Moon was sent to Oxford in England to undertake officer training. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on 27 September 1917 and rejoined his battalion in France, where it took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. In March 1918 Moon was promoted to lieutenant. Shortly after this, possibly during the Battle of Morlancourt in France, he was on duty as a group of men from the 40th went over the top to carry out a night raid. One of them asked him what he should bring back as a souvenir and Moon suggested a German officer's swagger stick. When the men returned they presented him with this German officer's walking stick instead, which was all they could find. It became one of his most treasured possessions. Moon returned to Australia in May 1919. He served again during the Second World War, as a captain in 4 Volunteer Defence Corps Battalion.