| Place | Europe: Belgium |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL41114 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Enamel, Metal |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Belgium |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Matchbox holder : 8th Battalion, AIF
Description
Metal matchbox holder, featuring an enamelled colour patch of the 8th Battalion - a horizontal rectangle divided white over red. Embossed above and below is, '8TH BN. A.I.F.' and 'NULLI SECUNDUS'. On the other side is an embossed Rising Sun badge and the text, 'FROM THE OFFICERS' and 'X'MAS 1918'.
History / Summary
The story of this particular matchbox holder is not known. However, the embossed details indicate that it was part of a presentation by the officers to the men of the 8th Battalion at Christmas 1918. At this time, the 8th Battalion was billeted in the village of Bouffioulx, Belgium (near Charleroi) and the battalion diary describes how after Church Parade the men were served Christmas dinner 'at 12:10 sharp' and 'it was an excellent turnout' despite the difficulties in obtaining food for the occasion. The diary says that, 'All the interior of the billets were decorated with flags Holly and ribbons. The billets were very pretty and the boys enjoyed themselves.'.