The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Vesta holder (match striker) for wax matches. At the top is a hole for holding matches. On one side is an image of a wounded soldier, after the painting titled 'A Gentleman in Kharki' by Richard Caton Woodville. One the other side is the first verse and chorus of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Absent Minded Beggar'. In between these items on one side is the text 'USHER'S SPECIAL RESERVE WHISKY, EDINBURGH', and on the other 'USHER'S "O.V.G" WHISKY, EDINBURGH'. The bottom of the vesta bears a manufacturer's mark for Raphael Tuck & Sons.
Vesta holder (match striker) for wax matches. The matches would be held in the top of the vesta and the side of the vesta would be struck by the match to set it alight. Because of the smooth sides it could often take several attempts. This vesta has little wear which indicates it was either not used, or was rarely used. This holder was one of the popular souvenirs which depicted the image of the wounded British soldier from Richard Caton Woodville's painting 'A Gentleman in Kharki (Khaki)'. The image was widely used during the Boer War and was often combined with the first verse and chorus of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Absent Minded Beggar'. The poem and painting were both created to honour the common British soldier. The poem, set to the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan, was used as a rousing patriotic song to encourage public support for, and contribution to, the war effort.
Vesta holder (match striker) for wax matches. At the top is a hole for holding matches. On one side is an image of a wounded soldier, after the painting titled 'A Gentleman in Kharki' by Richard Cato
Glazed cream china teapot with gold trim. On one side is an image of a wounded soldier, after the painting titled 'A Gentleman in Kharki' by Richard Caton Woodville. One the other side is the first v
Oval brass plaque with a relief figure of soldier, after the painting 'A Gentleman in Kharki' by Richard Caton Woodville. The figure has been polished extensively, which has caused significant wear. T
Bisque porcelain figure after the painting 'A Gentleman in Kharki' by Richard Caton Woodville, although the figure is missing its rifle. The figure is painted and the title 'A gentleman in kharki' is
Glazed china bowl with gilded edge. On the front of the bowl is part of the chorus from Rudyard Kipling's 'The Absent Minded Beggar', witha facsimile of Kipling's signature beneath it. On the bottom o
Khaki cotton drill armband printed in red and black with a red cross in the centre within the words 'ABSENT. MINDED. BEGGAR. RELIEF. CORPS./ SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS./ 1899. 1900'. On eithrer side of the ver
