| Accession Number | REL/02484 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Brass, Leather, White metal |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Turkey |
| Date made | c 1914-1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Other ranks' belt buckle : Turkish Army
Description
Turkish army rectangular brass other ranks' belt buckle with attached white metal circular badge. The white metal badge shows, in relief on a pebbled background, a crescent moon, the upward facing horns of which enclose a five pointed star. The crescent contains the Arabic script for 'Asakr-I Shahaneh' meaning 'Imperial Army'. On the underside of the buckle is a brass rod with two small metal prongs. A short section of brown leather belt tongue is attached to the rod.
History / Summary
This Turkish belt buckle was collected by either 113 Private Quintin John Hunter, of 9 Infantry Battalion AIF, or 634 Trooper John Bowdich Swayne of 5 Light Horse Regiment, AIF. Then two men were brothers-in-law, and both saw service on Gallipoli. Hunter later served on the Western Front and was killed in action at Bullecourt on 7 May 1917. Swayne served in Sinai and Palestine, and returned to Australia in January 1919.