Cigarette case: Captain Frederick Harold Tubb, 7 Battalion AIF

Curved silver cigarette case, hinged at either end, with a central opening. There is a press catch located at the centre on either side of the case. Inside is a single blue and white elastic strap to retain cigarettes, and mountings for several other straps which are not present. The inside of the case is also hallmarked with a 1912 Birmingham maker's marking which appears to read 'C B T'. Hand engraved in cursive script on the concave non-opening face of the case are the words 'Capt. F. H. Tubb 7th Bn A.I.F.' There is a white substance staining some sections of the case, which is also heavily tarnished.

Frederick Harold Tubb was born at Longwood, Victoria, in 1881, and became manager of his father's grazing property as a young man. He was also a keen member of the Militia, and at the outbreak of the First World War held the rank of 2nd lieutenant in 58 Infantry Regiment (the Essendon Rifles). He joined the AIF and was appointed to 7 Battalion as a 2nd lieutenant, being promoted lieutenant in February 1915 and captain while serving at Gallipoli. Tubb recovered from the wounds he suffered at Lone Pine, where he won his Victoria Cross, and after a brief visit to Australia, where he was feted as a hero, rejoined his battalion in France in 1916. He was promoted to the rank of major in February 1917, but was severely wounded by Allied shellfire supporting the Australian attack in the battle of the Menin Road on 20 September, and died that evening. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Poperinghe in Belgium. The cigarette case, which has a 1912 Birmingham hallmark, was probably received by Tubb during his visit to Australia in 1915-16.