Trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison

c. 1943
Overview

World War Two era set of trench art cutlery made from .303 bullets, housed in a blue felt lined timber box with timber lid.
There are two forks, two fish or butter knives and two spoons, all which have been gilded. The base of the bullets read 'MQ 1943 VII'.
The box and lid are made from a red-brown hardwood, with the lid just sitting on top of the base.

Historical information

The box and cutlery were made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison, service number QX 3416, who served with the 2nd Australian Maintenance Platoon, Royal Australian Engineers in World War Two.
Bill was a 28 year old carpenter when he enlisted at Redbank, Queensland on 10 June 1940. Much of his service was in Australia, but he also served in New Guinea and Borneo. He was discharged on 16 January 1946.

The headstamps on the .303 British Calibre Service Ammunition Rounds indicate that they were made at the Small Arms Ammunition Factory No 5, Rocklea, Australia.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00543
Width
22 mm
Height or length
140 mm
Depth
13 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On base of bullets:

"MQ 1943 VII"

Place made
Australia
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Organisation Details
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Trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Box of trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Box of trench art cutlery made by Sapper Frank William (Bill) Collison
Close-up of first three bullet bases - trench art cutlery
Close-up of first three bullet bases - trench art cutlery
Close-up of second three bullet bases - trench art cutlery
Close-up of second three bullet bases - trench art cutlery
Close-up of two forks from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of two forks from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of two knives from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of two knives from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of front of two spoons from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of front of two spoons from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of back of two spoons from trench art cutlery set
Close-up of back of two spoons from trench art cutlery set
Underneath of box  containing trench art cutlery set
Underneath of box containing trench art cutlery set

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