WWI Dinner Gong

[Guest switch625]

I have came into possession of a cool piece of history. It is a presentation stand, which features 2 artillery shells hanging in the middle and a wooden mallet and canvas bulb for chiming against the shells. The inscriptions on each of the artillery shells is as follows:

18 Pounder R.F.A Cartridge Case

Fired by British at Neuve Chapelle.

25.Sept.1915.

Presented to

R.W. Thomas.

by Driver David Martin. R.H.A.

I am presuming that it was given to RW Thomas on 25 Sept 1915 (the same day as the Battle of Loos) since Neuve Chapelle was In March. Any information on the piece, or persons associated with it would be appreciated. It is in great condition, a little wear, and I am trying to get an accurate history of it.

[Old Tom]

Hello,

Can't add much! But it strikes me that the date could simply be the date the shells were fired and that the cartridge cases were kept by Dvr Martin and presented to Thomas (who might well be a post war civilian friend). The coincidence of dates with Loos is, of course, a possibility, but 18 pdrs were being fired all the time.

Old Tom

[Guest switch625]

Thanks for the reply Old Tom, piecing together something that happened almost a century ago with no direct or indirect resource is a complicated puzzle. I'll keep trying and hope to get it right.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/swit...ng/DCP_2599.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/swit...ng/DCP_2601.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/swit...ng/DCP_2596.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/swit...ng/DCP_2587.jpg

Hello,

Can't add much! But it strikes me that the date could simply be the date the shells were fired and that the cartridge cases were kept by Dvr Martin and presented to Thomas (who might well be a post war civilian friend). The coincidence of dates with Loos is, of course, a possibility, but 18 pdrs were being fired all the time.

Old Tom

[Max Poilu]

Nice piece, these commemorative gongs were quite a popular item after the war. Your 'double gonger' is a very good example, especially with the dedication.

[zephyr4]

Its alway nice to see items marked with names and date's.

This gong is smaller the shells are two pounders and are engraved with pictures of camels, palm tree's ect.

And I need to find a duster.