CIGARETTE LIGHTER
1916 - 1918Round metal body made from a section of a brass shell case. On top is a metal pin with a cap screwed onto it, next to it is a second pin with a metal wheel that can be turned at the top. Fixed to each side is a round copper coin which seal of the ends of the shell section. One coin features King George V, the other coin features Queen Victoria I.
The lighter was collected and used by Edward Bailey who served with the 11th Battalion during World War One in France and England. Edward, born in England married Annie Ruth Stevens, born in Armadale, in 1913. The family moved into a home on William Street in Armadale where they started a family while Edward worked at the Armadale Brickworks. In 1916 Edward was working as a farm hand enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces on 27 March leaving Annie to look after their two daughters.
After training at Blackboy Hill Edward sailed for England aboard HMAT A28. Also on-board were locals Richard Beattie, William Ullyott, William Cohn, Thomas Hesketh, John Packer and Macalister Blain. Edward spent time training in England before joining the 11th Battalion in France in February 1917. Edward spent most of his time with the 11th Battalion in France, participating in a number of engagements in 1917 and early 1918 before he was hospitalised for a number of ailments through 1918. In April 1919 he was sent home, arriving back in Fremantle in July 1919 and being discharged in August.
Richard returned to Armadale where he worked as a labourer, with the family now living on Fifth Road. During World War II Richard enlisted again and served with the 5th and 29th Australian Garrison Battalions who were tasked with local defence and the Western Command Recruit and Reinforcement Reception Depot where he helped to process new recruits and allocate them to their training units.
In 1938 Richard and Annie celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Annie passed away on 20 June 1963 age 75, Richard died 4 October 1965 aged 75.
Details
Details
[GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:BRITT:REX FID:DEF:IND:IMP:]one side, [VICTORIA:DEI:GRA:BRITT:REGINA:FID:DEF:IND:IMP} other side
This object is part of collection that tells the story of the City of Armadale's connection to armed conflicts around the world from the late 1800s to today. The collection explores the experiences of people associated with the City of Armadale who went to war, their experiences when they returned as well as how these conflicts impacted the community who stayed behind.
This lighter was collected and used by Edward Bailey who served with the 11th Battalion during World War One in France and England; before being discharged in 1919 after being hospitalised with a number of ailments.
