First World War Cut Throat Razor used by Private William John BEER 1509

c. 1914
Overview

A bakelite and steel straight edge razor. The bakelite handle is a cream colour and made of two curved pieces with a fixing screw at either end. The blade is divided into a thicker razor edge and a thinner end which is attached to the handle by one of the screws. The blade pivots on this screw and folds away between the two pieces that make up the handle. The blade is larger than the handle so it does not fully fold away. Both the handle and the blade are dirty and the blade is damaged at its end. There are no inscriptions or marks visible. The razor is accompanied by a black cardboard pouch. The pouch is oblong in shape and has an open end. It shows significant damage.

Historical information

Unnamed cut throat razor belonging to Private William John BEER 1509. William came from Bunbury and enlisted on 23 November 1914. He joined the 11th Battalion as a Private and his unit sailed from Fremantle aboard HMAT A50 Itonus on 22 February 1915. William served in Gallipoli and France before returning to Australia on 30 December 1918. His brother Frank who served with the same battalion was mortally wounded on 2 September 1916. William returned to Bunbury where he married and lived until his death in 1977.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2022.1.30.a&b
Item type
Width
40 mm
Height or length
172 mm
Weight
72 g
Keywords
Year
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Monday, 20 October, 2025
Completeness
94
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Razor and Pouch
Razor and Pouch

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