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T5AUS · 25 April 2009, 02:22 PM

Here's a watch I picked up in an auction last week, which is very poignant on a day like today! (ANZAC Day) I wonder what happened to this young lad, did he survive that horror and make it back, and I wonder what they were "collectors" of. How do families get separated from such important historical items as this.

Imtiaz · 25 April 2009, 03:26 PM

ANZAC day is a day of memories for all of us Aussies and Kiwis.

Young or old we must remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Lest we forget

CharlieG · 26 April 2009, 09:12 AM

What a great find

Is it running?

T5AUS · 26 April 2009, 12:53 PM

Hi Charlie, yep, it's running and is keeping pretty good time.

idk01 · 26 April 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imtiaz

ANZAC day is a day of memories for all of us Aussies and Kiwis.

Young or old we must remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Lest we forget

Very well said my friend!

Lest we forget.

idk01 · 26 April 2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T5AUS

Here's a watch I picked up in an auction last week, which is very poignant on a day like today! (ANZAC Day) I wonder what happened to this young lad, did he survive that horror and make it back, and I wonder what they were "collectors" of. How do families get separated from such important historical items as this.

Wow I bet that watch has seen many things since WWI incredible!

Cato · 27 April 2009, 10:23 AM

That watch says a lot about the men of that war. The adjective "gallant" comes to mind. Today, we all have watches that can go anywhere and do anything yet most of us (including myself) take our watches off even to shower! That fellow wore a watch on a strap that didn't even have a date complication! Soldiers like him wore watches like that through clouds of poisonous gas, muddy trenches, and machine guns!

Jedi · 29 April 2009, 01:38 AM

Lest we forget indeed.

T5AUS · 30 April 2009, 09:21 AM

Wow, after a bit of research I have just turned up a copy of the guys enlistment papers ! this is quite spooky, it has to be him. The date of his enlistment was 26th July 1915 and his departure date on the watch is 29th July 1915. He signed up with the 7th Field ambulance and was 22. His address was here in Brisbane. That's about as much info I can find on him so far, will contact the National archives in Canberra next, they might be able to shed some more light on him. This is suddenly becoming more than just a junky old watch found in a local auction, but a very personal piece of family history, wonder if it is right to continue like this, perhaps I should try and trace family members first, or maybe not, should I just leave it at that and not open up the past, which could still have some quite painful memories for some.

Boopie · 1 May 2009, 02:19 PM

What an amazing story. I'm sure you'll treasure that watch.

Imtiaz · 2 May 2009, 01:14 AM

Phil,

Mate if at all it would be his Grand Children and Great Grand Children who are still living.

One fact you need to consider is what would you do if they ask for the watch? Will you give it to them or sell it to them?

If the guy came back home alive it would be a memory to treasure, but if he died to allow us to live, then it would be a sadder moment.

My suggestion is that you contact one of these societies who do Aust. Genealogy. They will know if he came home or not.

One thing I was taught was that less than 10% know the names of their Grand Parents and less than 2% know the names of the Great Grand Parents.

This is a tough one.

T5AUS · 2 May 2009, 06:33 AM

Hi Imitiaz, yes, I have considered that, and since it never cost me that much I would be happy for a genuine family member who does have an interest in it to have it at cost. However, the amazing thing is, yesterday I found out from the auction rooms where I purchased it that it had been entered for sale by the family so that kind of ends it for me really, glad I now know that. I still am surprised that they let it go though, I certainly wouldn't have

25 April 2009, 02:22 PM	#1
T5AUS Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Watch: ing the time go by Posts: 1,444	Anzac day Here's a watch I picked up in an auction last week, which is very poignant on a day like today! (ANZAC Day) I wonder what happened to this young lad, did he survive that horror and make it back, and I wonder what they were "collectors" of. How do families get separated from such important historical items as this. Attached Images

29 April 2009, 01:38 AM	#8
Jedi "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Lee Location: Malaysia Watch: 16750 Posts: 2,534	Lest we forget indeed. __________________ Lee This is my watch. There are many like it but this one is mine... Flickr Blog

30 April 2009, 09:21 AM	#9
T5AUS Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Watch: ing the time go by Posts: 1,444	Wow, after a bit of research I have just turned up a copy of the guys enlistment papers ! this is quite spooky, it has to be him. The date of his enlistment was 26th July 1915 and his departure date on the watch is 29th July 1915. He signed up with the 7th Field ambulance and was 22. His address was here in Brisbane. That's about as much info I can find on him so far, will contact the National archives in Canberra next, they might be able to shed some more light on him. This is suddenly becoming more than just a junky old watch found in a local auction, but a very personal piece of family history, wonder if it is right to continue like this, perhaps I should try and trace family members first, or maybe not, should I just leave it at that and not open up the past, which could still have some quite painful memories for some. Attached Images Last edited by T5AUS; 30 April 2009 at 09:25 AM.. Reason: script

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25 April 2009, 03:26 PM	#2
Imtiaz Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: De Location: Tokyo Watch: Daytona, Sub, DS, Posts: 1,046	ANZAC day is a day of memories for all of us Aussies and Kiwis. Young or old we must remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Lest we forget

26 April 2009, 09:12 AM	#3
CharlieG "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Charlie Location: NY Posts: 1,135	What a great find Is it running?

26 April 2009, 12:53 PM	#4
T5AUS Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Watch: ing the time go by Posts: 1,444	Hi Charlie, yep, it's running and is keeping pretty good time.

27 April 2009, 10:23 AM	#7
Cato Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Land of the Lost Watch: 116610LN Posts: 2,201	That watch says a lot about the men of that war. The adjective "gallant" comes to mind. Today, we all have watches that can go anywhere and do anything yet most of us (including myself) take our watches off even to shower! That fellow wore a watch on a strap that didn't even have a date complication! Soldiers like him wore watches like that through clouds of poisonous gas, muddy trenches, and machine guns!

1 May 2009, 02:19 PM	#10
Boopie "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 3,952	What an amazing story. I'm sure you'll treasure that watch.

2 May 2009, 01:14 AM	#11
Imtiaz Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: De Location: Tokyo Watch: Daytona, Sub, DS, Posts: 1,046	Phil, Mate if at all it would be his Grand Children and Great Grand Children who are still living. One fact you need to consider is what would you do if they ask for the watch? Will you give it to them or sell it to them? If the guy came back home alive it would be a memory to treasure, but if he died to allow us to live, then it would be a sadder moment. My suggestion is that you contact one of these societies who do Aust. Genealogy. They will know if he came home or not. One thing I was taught was that less than 10% know the names of their Grand Parents and less than 2% know the names of the Great Grand Parents. This is a tough one.

2 May 2009, 06:33 AM	#12
T5AUS Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Watch: ing the time go by Posts: 1,444	Hi Imitiaz, yes, I have considered that, and since it never cost me that much I would be happy for a genuine family member who does have an interest in it to have it at cost. However, the amazing thing is, yesterday I found out from the auction rooms where I purchased it that it had been entered for sale by the family so that kind of ends it for me really, glad I now know that. I still am surprised that they let it go though, I certainly wouldn't have

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