Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War binoculars presented by General Sir E. H. Allenby to Lt. R. W. Middleditch

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A. Kershaw & Sons Ltd. (a. Binoculars) J. B. Brooks & Co. Ltd. (b. Leather Case

1916 - 1918

Historical information

Robert Woolfrey Middleditch was born 22 April 1892 in Melbourne, Victoria. Enlisting in the AIF on 28 June 1915, he was living in Katanning, WA as a labourer. His served in the 10th Light Horse Regiment, 9th Reinforcements and rose to the rank of Lieutenant on 12 December 1918 after attending Officer training at Zeitoun, Egypt where it is believed he received the binoculars from Gen. Allenby. He later returning to Australia on the 10 July 1919.
During the Second World War enlisted on 30 May 1942 in Port Hedland, WA, and was later appointed Captain of No. 11 Western Australian Battalion VDC on 9 February 1943, seeing service until 31 December 1944.
He died 26 July 1959 aged 67 years old.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-1988.18.1

Item type

Personal Effects

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Glass

Leather

Metal

Width

108 mm

Height or length

48 mm

Depth

162 mm

Weight

1187 g

Inscriptions and markings

Binoculars: "A. Kershaw & Sons Ltd, Leeds, 1918 / Binocular Prismatic No. 3 Mk I, Maginification 6 No. 60863" with inscription on front "PRES BY GEN SIR E. H. ALLENBY G.C.S. G.C.M.G. C&C. E.E.E." "TO LT R. W. MIDDLEDITCH O.C.B. ZEITOUN 15.12.19"
Case: "CASE NO. 3 PRISMATIC BINOCULAR J.B. BROOKS & CO. LTD. 1916"

Keywords

First World War

WW1

10th Light Horse Regiment

General Allenby

Place made

Leeds, United Kingdom

Year

1916 - 1918

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance