Shoulder belt plate and pricker : Staff Sergeant J J Heath, Ballarat Volunteer Regiment

Brass shoulder belt plate and pricker joined together by a heavy link brass chain. The shoulder belt plate features a lion's head with a ring protruding from its open mouth to which the chain is attached. The lion's head is backed by a circular bronze plate with a decorative border. On the reverse of the backing plate are two metal posts drilled through and attached to the lion's head plate. They are fastened together by two brass square nuts. Two brass chains of equal length join the shoulder belt plate to the pricker. The pricker is cylindrical but tapers to the base. There is a thin line of decorative engraving on either end. The pricker is opened by a small clasp on the base; the inner part slides out to reveal a short metal spike used to clear the touch-hole of a pistol. There are two metal screws protruding from the side of the pricker.

Worn by Staff Sergeant James John Heath during his service with the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment. Heath, who served in the British Army with the 55th Regiment of Foot during the Crimean war, was born in Staffordshire in 1819 and he worked as a labourer until his enlistment on 22 April 1837. He participated in the Battle of Inkermann and the siege of Sevastopol during his service in the Crimean War of 1854-1856. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during this time for good conduct and affection for duty. He was discharged from full time service after the war and was employed in the service of the Victoria London Docks Company for nearly three years, during which time he acted as a Drill Sergeant in 2 Battalion of 5th Essex Rifle Volunteers. He subsequently emigrated to Australia and became Sergeant Major of the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment, a position he had held for over twenty years at the time of his death in 1885.