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Tin box issued by Australian War Contingent Association for Christmas 1915

An open tin showing paintings on the lid and base

Tin box issued by Australian War Contingent Association for Christmas 1915, 1915 
paintings inside box by Jack Sommers 
metal with oil paint 
presented by Jack Sommers, 1933 
R 746

Jack Sommers (1878-1934) served with the 1st Division, Australian Army Service Corps, where he was a driver. He saw action at Gallipoli, Egypt and France.  

After the Gallipoli evacuation he was deployed with the Western Frontier Force, to the Western Desert of Egypt. Sommers spent Christmas 1915 in heavy rain in the advanced trenches at Bir Shola. He painted battle scenes on the only surface he had at hand: a tin chocolate box given to servicemen by the Australian War Contingent Association. The companion painting is of sangars (fortified positions built from rock that served as observation posts and sniper positions) in the area.  

The lid is inscribed with the words: ‘1915-1916 to our gallant Australian kinsmen at the Front from the Australian War Contingent Association, London, with every good wish to one and all Xmas 1915.’ 

Transported home in 1918 suffering from trench fever, Sommers donated his collection of letters and artworks to the Library in 1933.

A tin box with text engraved on it

Tin box issued by Australian War Contingent Association for Christmas 1915, 1915 
metal
presented by Jack Sommers, 1933 
R 746

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