Historical information

The Bugle was played by the British over 2000 times to warn of impending air raids in the Middle East. When a new electronic siren was installed Bill Nicholls souvenired it and carried it in his haversack until he reached home. William Bona Nicholls No VX36468 2/24 Batt 9th Div. enlisted on 12.8.40, embarked 16.11.1940 for the Middle East, promoted L/Cpl 8.5.1941, served in the Seige of Tobruk, El Alamein and Middle East Campaigns. He was taken POW at Derna and escaped after 8 hours. Embarked for Australia 1.2.1943 and disembarked Melbourne 25.2.1943. Embarked for New Guinea 1.8.1943, hospital 5.12.1943 with Degue Fever, rejoin unit 9.12.1943, served in the Lae and Finschafen campaigns. Promoted Sgt 11.2.1944, embark for Australia from Finschafen 28.2.1944 and disembark Brisbane 7.3.1944. Evacuated to hospital 16.3.1945, appears to be Anxiety State. Discharged from the Army 3.9.1945 with the rank of S/Sgt.

Physical description

Copper & brass army bugle with nozzle & holding chain.

Inscriptions & markings

Main section of bugle has: a lettered crest, & Besson & Co, London, 1940