Trench art photo bracelet made by a Prisoner of War

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c. 1940

Overview

World War Two era metal trench art photo bracelet made by a Prisoner of War (POW) at Suez. It appears to be made from a flattened piece of aluminium similar to that used in military water bottles.
It is slightly convex in shape to fit around a wrist. It has scalloped edges with a central raised diamond shaped frame containing the black and white portrait of a young smiling woman.
On either side of the upper section of the diamond frame are two crudely engraved flowers with three petals on a single stalk.
On the lower left of the diamond frame are the engraved letters 'P.O.W, underneath which in finer scratched writing appears to be the name 'C.W. Timms'. On the lower right of the diamond frame is the word 'SUEZ'.
The reverse showswear and the impressions of the engraving on the upper surface. There are four small circular tabs where the corners of the diamond are attached.
In the centre, a series of letters and numbers have been scratched into the surface. It appears to read 'OX 21143'.

Historical information

Having researched both the name and service number, it hasn't been possible to identify the maker of this bracelet.
Based on the portrait of the woman, it is likely to be World War Two era rather than World War One. However, the main POW camps around the Suez area were run by the British Army and contained mainly German and Italian internees captured during the Western Desert Campaign.
Camp 310 was located directly in Suez, and was a major transit and detention compound managing large numbers of enlisted Axis prisoners awaiting long-term relocation. It operated from at least early 1941 through to late 1948.
It is unknown what heritage the woman in the photo has. She could be British or she may be European.
The material that the bracelet is made from looks very similar to other items of trench art in the collection made from aircraft parts or water bottles.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01051

Item type

Artefacts

Collectibles

Ephemera

Jewellery

Metalwork

Personal Effects

Photographs

Themes