Tasmania dated 1920
An early 20th century Australian 9 carat gold mounted brass match box holder

the open work cut mounts of rose gold with encircled initials WRB in cypher to one side, to the other with a map of Tasmania and engraved so, reserved to the corners with set square and mallet, a steam powered centrifugal governor, trowel and mallet, and a symbol of electricity. Engraved to the side presented to Gen. Sir W. Birdwood by students of the vocational training classes Feb 14^th Tasmania 1920. Stamped inside 9ct. Together with a cased parcel gilt sterling presentation key with plaque reading “Commonwealth of Australia to commemorate the opening of the new wing of the Repatriations Commission’s Sanatorium Perth W A by Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood Bt GCB, GCSI, GCMG, CIE, DSO, 28. 8. 1937. The key with ‘Australia Commonwealth Military Forces. Each stamped Stg SIL. The case branded for Walter Jorgensen 123 Murray Street Perth. (2)

match box length - 5.9 cm / 2.3 inches

Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood (1865 – 1951), thence by descent

Baron Birdwood served in the Second Boer War, initially as brigade-major with a mounted brigade in Natal from 10 January 1900 and then as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of Lord Kitchener from 15 October 1900. Promoted to brevet major on 20 November 1901 and local lieutenant-colonel in October 1901, he became military secretary to Lord Kitchener on 5 June 1902, and followed him on his return to the United Kingdom on board the SS Orotava, which arrived in Southampton on 12 July 1902. He received a brevet promotion to lieutenant-colonel in the South African Honours list published on 26 June 1902. In a despatch from June 1902, Lord Kitchener wrote the following about his work in South Africa:

This young officer has held a difficult position as Assistant Adjutant-General, Mounted Troops, and responsible adviser as to the distribution of remounts. In carrying out these duties he has proved himself to possess exceptional ability, and he has shown, moreover, remarkable tact in dealing with and conciliating the various interests which he had to take into consideration.

When Kitchener went to India as commander-in-chief in November 1902, Birdwood joined him there as assistant military secretary and interpreter. He was promoted to the substantive rank of major on 9 May 1903 and appointed Military Secretary to Lord Kitchener with the rank of full colonel on 26 June 1905. Having been appointed an aide-de-camp to the King on 14 February 1906, he was given command of the Kohat Brigade on the North West Frontier in 1908 and promoted to temporary brigadier-general on 28 June 1909.

In November 1914 Birdwood was instructed by Kitchener to form an army corps from the Australian and New Zealand troops that were training in Egypt. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant-general on 12 December 1914 and given command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.