No 23 Mk II Hand Grenade - Sectioned : Sergeant A E Green, 9 Battalion AIF

Sectioned No 23 Mk II hand grenade. The grenade has a steel perforated jacket sectioned on one side revealing the igniter and firing mechanism. Markings - NO 23 MK II ; B & D.

Collected by Sergeant Albert Edward Green, 25 Battalion. A 28 year old farmer from Lismore, NSW, he enlisted in the AIF on 22 July 1915. He was assigned to the 6th reinforcements of 25 Battalion, with the service number 2682. After basic training he sailed from Brisbane for service overseas aboard HMAT Seang Lee on 21 October 1915. Green continued his training in Egypt and transferred to 9 Battalion, AIF on 28 February 1916 with the service number 2682A. Green arrived in France on 3 April 1916. Green was promoted to temporary corporal in August 1916, then to permanent corporal in September. He was awarded the Military Medal on 25 February 1917 during the fierce fighting which caused the German retreat from the Hindenberg Line. In September 1917 Green undertook specialist training in England and qualified as a bomb (grenade) instructor, and in marksmanship. He was attached to a training battalion as an instructor for a number of months before rejoining 9 Battalion. In July 1918 he suffered accidental gunshot wounds to both hands and subsequently had the tips of the middle and fourth fingers on his left hand amputated. He saw no further active service and was allowed extended leave in England. In November 1919 he married Margaret Annie Waterman before returning to Australia the following month.

This sectioned grenade may have been used by Green in his role as an instructor. The No 23 Grenade or Mills bomb was an adaption of the design which allowed it to be used as a rifle grenade.