WW1 Silver Vesta Case Reputedly Owned By Frederick John Henley Modified With A Wood Fragment Memento From A Bombing He Survived + Records
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A Remarkable WW1 Sterling Silver Vesta Case Reputedly Once Owned By A Frederick John Henley Who Modified It With A Piece Of Wooden Debris That He Kept As A Memento From A Bombing That He Survived During The Great War. It’s Hallmarked Birmingham 1912.
This Comes With An Electronic Photograph Of Frederick John Henley And Some Electronic Military Records.
During my research some of the records indicate that Frederick kept a diary in a notebook from 8th March to 12 September 1915. Apparently, it recounts his journey from Southampton to Le Havre and then to the front near Ypres. He was involved in the restoration of the front line when the Germans broke through in the Second Battle of Ypres and tells of the horrific experience. The diary names men who he saw killed and whom he helped to bury.
He was made cook and tells of his race to the front line trench with the horse drawn cooker and feeding the men who had just been in battle in the German trenches.
Astonishingly, he also describes how, on 21st July, at Fromelles, he met his brother Albert Henley by chance at an Inn…
It’s a remarkable piece of history and a sombre reflection of the grave consequences of war.
Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound, functions well but some dinks and scratches.
Measures 5.5cm x 3.5cm x 1.5cm
Weighs 39.51 grams