WWI trench watch presented to Ernest Allen Ernst
c. 1915Swiss made, silver cased, sidewinder trench watch presented to Ernest Allen Ernst. It is engraved on the reverse in cursive writing with his surname, initials and service number.
The circular, white, vitreous enamel dial has the numbers 1-5 and 7-11 in black outline. The number 12 is in red outline, while the number 6 is missing due to the presence of the second hand dial and hand.
The watch is in poor condition. The watch glass is missing and the end of the hour hand has broken off. There are cracks in the enamel on the right hand side of the dial.
The inside of the case has a variety of sterling silver import marks, including the maker's mark, sterling silver mark (0.935), the Swiss silver hallmark of a rampant bear, and a serial number (127566 N).
It would have had a leather strap which was threaded through the two lugs on either side.
Ernest Allen Ernst was a cabinet maker aged 19 when he enlisted as a Driver/Bombardier with the Divisional Ammunition Column on 1 September 1914. His service number was 2422.
He embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A22 Rangatira on 25 September 1914. He served in Egypt before being hospitalised and being returned to Australia in late 1916. He then returned to England and served there and in France with the 3rd Field Ambulance Brigade. He suffered from shell shock.
He returned to Australia on the hospital ship HMS Dunvegan Castle and was discharged due to 'war strain' on 13 March 1918, at which point he had the rank of Gunner and was serving with the 36th Royal Garrison Artillery.
Details
Details
On reverse of watch:
"E.A. Ernst
2622"
On inside of lid:
Rampant Bear silver hallmark
0.935
Maker's mark - the letter K inside a house shaped outline with three stars in the roof region
Serial number
"127566
N"
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