| Accession Number | REL/00914 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Foodstuff – dry |
| Place made | United Kingdom |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Hardtack biscuit with message : Frederick Guttridge 30th Battalion
Description
Army 'hard tack' biscuit on which is written a message. Elements of the surface of the biscuit have flaked off, leaving the message only partly readable. The message reads: "1740 (?) F. Guttridge 2nd RENF 30th BATT, 8 Brigade France AIF" and "755 ???Kinner 5/36 Anledale" on one side and on the other side "[W]HAT. WE. ARE. [illegible]G W[illegible] ON. IN. FRANCE. SOME[illegible]" (possiblY "WHAT WE ARE GOING TO LIVE ON IN FRANCE").
History / Summary
This biscuit was used as a letter by Frederick Alfred Guttridge, Service Number 1740, who served with the 30th Battalion from his enlistment in 1915 until September 1917, when he was posted to the 5th Signal Company. He disembarked at Suez from HMAT Berrima on 23 January 1916, and re-embarked on HMS Franconia at Alexandria on 6 June 1916, arriving at Plymouth on 16 June 1916. He was recorded as having poor physique and deformity of the chest, and marked initially as unfit for service. He left for France on board the ss Princess Clementine from Folkstone on 24 January 1917. He returned to Australia at the conclusion of the war on board the ss Devanha.
Given the date written on the biscuit (17 January 1917) it is likely that it refers to his impending departure for France.