15 Pounder MkII shrapnel shell

15 Pounder Mark II shrapnel shell made from forged steel. The head of the shell is missing, exposing the inside of the shell where 200 metal balls would have been housed. At the top of the shell are six small holes for the screws that would have attached the head. A fuze, time and percussion No 56 Mark IV would have been screwed into the threaded portion of the head of the shell. At the bottom of the shell case is a copper driving band. An inspection stamp featuring an arrow and '13/4/86' is present on the centre of the shell. See Handbook for the 15-Pr B.L. Gun Mark I (field batteries) 1896 for particulars of the gun and projectiles.

This shell was fired by a British 15 Pounder Breech loading artillery piece during the battle of Modder River on 28 November 1899. The battle was part of an early attempt by the British Army to relieve the besieged town of Kimberley. For most of the battle much of the British force was pinned down by Boer fire in open ground, but a flanking action in the afternoon led to the Boer force withdrawing that night. Although a British victory, the battle forced the British to halt their advance on Kimberley for ten days. After renewing the advance the British were badly defeated in the battle of Magersfontein. Modder River was a costly victory for the British, with over 400 casualties suffered. After the battle this shell was retrieved from the field. It is not known how it was brought to Australia.