Lot 3654

Description

Trench art, WWI being an engraved piece (43mm) of white metal from a German aircraft, obverse, inscribed with a shield design and inside, 'Jne 7th/Battle/of/Messines' and below is a winged propeller with the date 19/17, reverse, inscribed, 'Fragment/of/German Biplane/Shot Down During/Battle of Messines/by/13th Brigade/17.6.17'; also white metal dog tag, 'No 3025 D.Bell/C of E/West Australia/13th Bge/A Coy 51st Btn', and on reverse, 'Mrs E Bell/Mother/Yarloop/WA'. In an unofficial case with some French tri-colour ribbon, the first with some tin oxidation on reverse, the dog tag with heavy oxidation requiring professional cleaning, otherwise very fine and scarce.

The Battle of Messines 7-14 June 1917.

3205 Daniel bell, storeman, age 19, born at Hill End, NSW; NOK mother, Elizabeth Bell; Enl.02Jul1915 at Perth, WA; Emb.13Oct1915; WIA 14-16Aug1916 GSW left arm & thigh, (2nd occasion) 12Oct1917, (3rd occasion) 21Feb1918 gassed, (4th occasion) 24Apr1918 GSW multiple severe; RTA 12Dec1918; Disemb.18Jan1919; Disch.17Oct1920.