Fragment of metal from a Zeppelin airship: Driver E E Barker, 4 Divisional Ammunition Column AIF

Cross shaped section of duraluminium (an aluminium alloy) framework from a German Zeppelin. The two pieces are held together by two rivets.

Piece of duraluminium frame from a German Zeppelin airship shot down over England during the First World War, possibly the airship L31, shot down over London In October 1916.

Pieces of airships, especially Zeppelins, were a very popular souvenir in England during the First World War. People travelled long distances to view the crash sites and purchase, or scavenge for, pieces of the wreckages.

This item was collected by 25649 Driver Ernest Edwin Barker while serving in England during the First World War. Barker was born in Kent, England. He served for several months ashore with the Royal Navy, before emigrating to Australia. Barker was working as a railway shunter when he enlisted in the AIF on 24 January 1916.

On 29 July he embarked for England from Sydney with 4 reinforcements of 4 Divisional Ammunition Column aboard HMAT Orsova, arriving at Plymouth on 14 September. In June 1917 Barker embarked for France, joining 2 Field Artillery Brigade in August.

In October 1917 he had knee problems that caused him to be hospitalised in France. In early 1918 he became ill while on leave in England. Barker remained in England for the rest of the war and was in and out of hospital until he was sent back to Australia in December 1918 due to lung problems caused by chronic thickening of the Pleura. He arrived in Australia on 15 January 1919 and was discharged on 10 February 1920.