Trench art paper knife : Private A J Hinchley, 1 Battalion, AIF

Trench art paper knife with handle made from a discharged German 7.92 cartridge. The straight blade is made from a piece of cut brass and is engraved with 'BAPAUME' on one side and 'MOTHER' on the other.

This paper knife is related to the service of Private Alfred James Hinchley. He was a 21 year old blacksmith at the time of his enlistment in the AIF, on 26 April 1916. After initial training he was posted as private, service number 1043, as a reinforcement to the 1st Light Trench Mortar Battery. His previous attempt at enlistment, in November 1914, did not proceed, possibly due to his age. Hinchley left Sydney for England, aboard HMAT 'Euripides' on 9 September 1916, arriving on there on 26 October.

Shortly after arriving in England Hinchley contracted an infection and was hospitalised. He was transferred to 1 Battalion on 6 February 1917 following his release. In March he attended a Lewis gun school, qualifying as 'very good' before joining his unit in Boursies, France on 20 April.

Less than three weeks later, on 6 May, he died of wounds to the head, arm and leg from an enemy shell received during the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt. Among the effects returned to his mother, Caroline Hinchley, was a knife, quite possibly this paper knife. Its origin is unclear as Hinchley was in England in March 1917 when Bapaume, the village name engraved on the knife blade, was occupied by the Australians.