Historical information

Vesta cases were used to hold and strike matches. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. Possibly these were with him during his time in the First World War and he visited Belfast during his time in Europe, and he kept as a mementos.
J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).

Significance

Mementos brought back with a soldier after serving in Europe in World War One.

Physical description

Two silver vesta (match) cases, one is monogramed and the other has an enamel plaque of the coat of arms of Belfast on it. Both have a few blue tipped matches in them.

Inscriptions & markings

01125.1 has monogram 'JBMCL' engraved on it
01125.2 has a coat of arms and 'Belfast' on an enamel disc