Historical information

A group of items including an identification tag on a leather wrist strap, flask and boot hook. Also a circular ID tag possibly made to be worn around the neck. Also a Ypres souvenir that seems incomplete. 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 kept them 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

A metal flask, an identification tag, a boot hook, a circular identification tag, a souvenir from Ypres all from the collection of JB McLean.

Inscriptions & markings

01126.1 Flask has monogram 'JBMCL' engraved on it.
01126.2 Identification tag has 'No. 13824 JB M McLean, ASC, AIF, RC' engraved on it.
01126.3 The boot hook has 'BAILLEUL' engraved on it.
00126.4 The circular tag with a central star has 'PTE J B M McLean A Coy 37 Bat' pressed into the metal.
00126.5 A metal tube with the letters 'Ypres' adhered to the outside.