Wooden Box with Pokerwork Decoration
Production date
1917
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Red flowers design. The letters "JH" are burnt on lid. "Done at K.P.M.H. Brisbane Q.Land. Australia. On December 7th 1917 by A.J. Race" are burnt into base.
Classification
PERSONAL EFFECTS Containers personal box
Maker
Production date
1917
Production place
Measurements
L260 x W124 x H105mm
Weight: 275g
Weight: 275g
Media/Materials description
Wood, brass hinges.
Signature/Marks
JH
DONE.AT. K.P.M.H. BRISBANE \ Q.LAND. AUSTRALIA. \ ON. DECEMBER. 7th. 1917 \ BY. A. J. Race
PRESS
DONE.AT. K.P.M.H. BRISBANE \ Q.LAND. AUSTRALIA. \ ON. DECEMBER. 7th. 1917 \ BY. A. J. Race
PRESS
History and use
This wooden pokerwork box is inscribed with the initials J.H. on the lid and “Done at K.P.M.H. Brisbane Q.Land. Australia. On December 7th 1917 by A.J. Race”. K.P.M.H. stands for the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital, which occupied the immigration depot at Kangaroo Point during World War 1 (WW1). The building is now more commonly known as Yungaba.
AJ Race is believed to be Albert Jabez Race, who joined the 4th Tropical Force of the AIF in Brisbane on 25 October 1915. He was from Harwich, England, and was a 30-year-old seaman when he enlisted. Whilst serving in Papua New Guinea he contracted a malaria infection and was admitted to hospital in Rabaul in May 1916. Soon after, Albert Race was discharged from the AIF as he was medically unfit to serve.
The pokerwork box is one example of the many arts and craft items that were made by returned servicemen. The men at Kangaroo Point Military Hospital were taught arts and crafts by volunteers of the Red Cross Handicraft Section as a form of rehabilitation, leisure work and amusement, and possibly to gain skills for paid occupation in the future. Leather work, basket weaving, wood carving, furniture making and toy making are some examples of crafts learned by the men.
The box was donated by Miss Jean Hardie, who volunteered for the Red Cross Handicrafts Section at the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital during WWI. It is assumed that it is Miss Hardie’s initials that are engraved on the lid, and that the box was given to her by Albert Race.
AJ Race is believed to be Albert Jabez Race, who joined the 4th Tropical Force of the AIF in Brisbane on 25 October 1915. He was from Harwich, England, and was a 30-year-old seaman when he enlisted. Whilst serving in Papua New Guinea he contracted a malaria infection and was admitted to hospital in Rabaul in May 1916. Soon after, Albert Race was discharged from the AIF as he was medically unfit to serve.
The pokerwork box is one example of the many arts and craft items that were made by returned servicemen. The men at Kangaroo Point Military Hospital were taught arts and crafts by volunteers of the Red Cross Handicraft Section as a form of rehabilitation, leisure work and amusement, and possibly to gain skills for paid occupation in the future. Leather work, basket weaving, wood carving, furniture making and toy making are some examples of crafts learned by the men.
The box was donated by Miss Jean Hardie, who volunteered for the Red Cross Handicrafts Section at the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital during WWI. It is assumed that it is Miss Hardie’s initials that are engraved on the lid, and that the box was given to her by Albert Race.
Associated person
Registration number
H22367
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