Pattern 08 ammunition pouches : Sergeant Frank McCristal, 30th Battalion AIF

Pattern 08 right side ammunition pouches with a bullet hole through lower left pouch and the large strap behind. The right ammunition pouches consist of an assemblage of five pockets arranged in a row of two above a row of three. Each pocket has a flap opening secured by double press stud fasteners. Each pocket has two internal divisions and are designed to carry three, five round clips of .303 rifle ammunition. The ammunition pouches are fitted with a double hook at each end for attachment to the waist belt. The thick vertical strap is stamped 'M.E.CO.1917. R [broad arrow]' on reverse.

Pattern 08 right side ammunition pouches worn by 1805 Sergeant Frank McCristal when he was shot during an attack by the 30th Battalion on Foucaucourt in August 1918.

Police Constable Frank McCristal enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. He arrived in Egypt in 1916 with the 30th Battalion and served on the Western Front.

On 27 August 1918, C Company 30th Battalion attacked across no man’s land and through German trenches to straighten the line north of the village of Foucaucourt. The attack began at 2 pm in broad daylight, after a barrage on the German positions. Despite being shelled, the German soldiers maintained deadly machine-gun fire at the advancing Australians.

Sergeant Frank McCristal was shot as he dashed across no man’s land. The impact of the bullet knocked him down. As he lay on the ground he realised he was not wounded or dead. The bullet had penetrated one of the ammunition pouches on his webbing, stopping the bullet.

McCristal continued advancing with his company. The Australians captured Foucaucourt and McCristal remained with his battalion until October, when he went to England for leave. Two weeks after rejoining his unit, the war ended. McCristal returned to Australia in 1919.