This bottle may have belonged to John (Jack) Henry Teale (NX 53563). Teale was born in Riverstone, New South Wales and enlisted on 20 March 1918 at the age of 18 years and 8 months, joining the 33rd Battalion/1st Infantry Depot Battalion A Company in Liverpool; though interestingly, the stamps on his enlistment certificates predate the date of enlistment. Teale's next of kin is listed as his mother, Rebecca; on both enlistment forms, John's father, George's name is crossed out and replaced by his mother. Both parents are confirmed as being alive in a separate attestation document from 22 February, documenting parental permission for enlisted soldiers under 21 years. John Henry Teale sailed from Sydney to Liverpool via HMAS Osterley (also known as RMS or SS Osterley).This bottle was owned by John Henry Teale, a young enlistee from New South Wales. The service number inscriptions provide great research significance, allowing for research into the service history of the owner. The bottle is representative of the uniform and equipment issued to servicemen of the period, the First World War and when compared with other examples, is in comparatively good condition with the casing mostly intact. Dark blue enamelled metal eliptical-cylindrical shaped bottle with flat top and base, fastened at the top with a cork. Cork has metal handle at top with string attached (now broken where attaches to bottle). Bottle is cased in khaki woollen material, hand sewn in places and detached in others. Bottle is carried via a series of leather straps, one of which passes beneath the bottle and runs up the left and right side, ending in a loop attached to a brass metal circle and held in place with a stud/rivet; this strap carries stamped service number. Two leather straps encircle the bottom horizontally and are fastened with studs. Upper strap has service number stamped. Long leather strap passes through metal circles and each end attaches to canvas strap which sits on the shoulder. Canvas strap carries service number also. Strap is adjustable and has several punched holes through which a buckle can pass.Inscribed on canvas strap in ink: "NX53563". On middle of leather strap: "53563". On leather strap under bottle: "53563". On horizontal leather strap: "53563". john henry teale, jack teale, 1st infantry depot battalion, 33rd battalion, world war i, world war one, first world war, the great war, equipment, uniform

Presented to 1st Infantry Regiment (WA Volunteer Forces) by HE the Governor of WA, Lt-Colonel Sir Gerard Smith, KCMG at a Queen's Birthday parade held on the Recreation Ground, Bazaar Terrace, Perth (now where the Esplanade is situated), on 28 May 1896. Consecrated by Senior Chaplain of the Forces, the Very Reverend Dean Goldsmith. Purchased by the WA Government, with the sanction of the Home Authorities, the colour was manufactured at the Pimlico Army Clothing Depot, London. It was the first Queen's Colour to be presented to a Western Australian Army unit. (A detailed description of this colour appeared in "The West Australian" of 23 May 1896) This colour was subsequently inherited by successor Militia units to the 1st Infantry Regiment, including 11th Australian Infantry Regiment (Perth Regiment), 88th (Perth) Infantry, 11th Battalion (The Perth Regiment) and 11th/16th Battalion. The colour was handed over to the Perth City Council at a special parade of the 11th/16th Battalion held in Forrest Place on 7 June 1930, and was laid up in the Council Chambers in Murray Street. Together with the other historic colours handed over at the time, this colour later went into storage when Council moved premises in the early 1960's. Perth City Council had some restoration work carried out on these colours in 1975 and later had them on display in their display room at Council House, St Georges Terrace. They were subsequently placed in storage again. Following negotiations by the Army Museum of WA Perth City Council passed on these Colours to the Museum in November 1993. Purchased by the WA Government, with the sanction of the Home Authorities, this was the first Queen's Colour to be presented to a Western Australian Army unit. (A detailed description of this colour appeared in "The West Australian" of 23 May 1896)Union flag with red and gold fringe. In the centre a circle inscribed "Western Australia", surmounted by a crown. Within the circle a black swan on gold background.military heraldry