Historical information
The outer envelope is addressed Mr E. Fielding which is believed to be Richard Edward (Eddie) Fielding.
It is understood from Tom Fielding, that this item was collected by his Uncle Bill Teagle when visiting Japan in the 1920s whilst serving in the Navy. It is further understood that Bill always made efforts to collect souvenirs from his travels to give to family members.
William George Teagle, more commonly known as Bill, was born 2 August 1899 at Sandringham, Victoria. Bill, a milk carter first attempted to enslist in the AIF in October 1917 but was rejected on the grounds of being too small. On a second attempt he was successful and his application was accepted 1 June 1918. He embarked in November 1918 for overseas with the 17th Reinforcements. He was discharged a year later in December 1918. On 6 May 1919 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy for a period of 7 years service with the rank of Stoker however he remained with the navy throughout till the end of the Second World War, and was finally discharged 14 November 1945 with the rank of Petty Officer.
Significance
This item, a souvenir from Japan from between the wars (circa 1923) was brought home to Research, Victoria by Bill Teagle who was serving in the Royal Australian Navy (1919-1945).
Bill Teagle's sister Violet Amelda Teagle had married Theodore (Curly) Feldbauer in 1933. Bill's brother-in-law Curly was taken as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese and died at Sandakan in March 1945. The family did not learn of Curly’s death till months later and Bill's sister, Violet, herself could never forgive the Japanese for what happened to Curly.
Curly is remembered on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board and his son, Albert Feldbauer (Bill’s nephew and youngest child of the children of the soldier fathers attending a school in the district), was given the honour of turning the first sod for the Eltham War Memorial Infant Welfare Centre Building.
Despite this, the family maintained this cherished souvenir from a time of previous foreign friendship with Japan.
The item was possibly given by Bill Teagle to his sister Margaret Rose (formerly Ingram) who later married Richard Edward (Eddie) Fielding in early 1948. (Eddie had been engaged to someone else before he went to war, but his fiancée broke it off before his return to Australia.)
It was cared for by the Teagle/Fielding family for approximately one hundred years. It is of particular significance given the family's connection to the Eltham War Memorial and the significance of that memorial to the local community and represents that despite the horrors of war, former friends then foes can become friends again.
Physical description
Hand painted wood block pint on paper card (possibly bamboo) with additional internal slip of (bamboo?) paper and matching envelope - not used. All contained in a white envelope marked "Mr E. Fielding"
