Decorative cigarette case : Corporal J H Welch, 66 Battalion, British Commonwealth Occupation Force

Black metal cigarette case with a decorative scene embossed and overlaid with gold and silver on the front. The scene depicts a snow covered Mount Fuji in the background. On a small hill in the foreground is a pagoda, a temple gateway and a traditional Japanese house set in a garden. The case is hinged along the left side and opens by a spring clasp on the right. A strip of brass for securing the cigarettes is fastened across the right panel.

Purchased by 3961 Corporal James Hamilton Welch in Japan in 1946. Welch was born in September 1927 and enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 4 March 1946. With the rank of Corporal he was posted to Japan on 15 October 1946 with 66 Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. He was promoted to Sergeant while serving with 66 Bn and returned to Australia on 5 September 1947. He then served during the Korean War with A Company, 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from 3 March 1952 to 20 January 1953. On 11 April of that year he was promoted to Lieutenant. He again served overseas in New Guinea with the Pacific Islands Regiment from 4 September 1955 to 10 January 1957. Welch continued to serve with the army and retired with the rank of Major.