Summary
Wooden cigarette case made by an Italian POW interned in the internment Camp No. PWCH V29, near Albury, circa 1942. Over 1000 Italian POWs were interned in this camp. Most of them had been captured in North Africa and transported for internment in Australia in 1941. Some of these POWs were assigned to work as mechanics or labourers in the nearby Australian Military camp at Bandiana, close to Bonegilla. The POWs befriended the Australian soldiers who would allow them to take scraps of metal and wood to make objects like this.
Physical Description
The rectangular dark wood case is hollow, leaving space for the cigarettes; it has a sliding inlay panel which allows it to be filled. The front of the case has a wooden inlay in a stylized "rising sun" design in various coloured and polished woods; the sun, itself, is formed by the use of approximately 2/3rd. of penny, leaving a kangaroo and "Australia" intact. The reverse also has an in layed wooden panel of various woods in blonde colours.
More Information
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Collection Names
Museums Victoria/Italian Historical Society Co.As.It Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Anonymous, 17 Jun 1996
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Place & Date Made
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Inscriptions
AUSTRALIA
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
10.05 cm (Length), 1.05 cm (Width), 8.05 cm (Height)
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Keywords
Internment Camps, Italian Communities, Italian Immigration, Prison Camps, Prisoners of War, Wars & Conflicts, World War II, 1939-1945
