60856: Trench art: decorated shell case

A decorated shell case, which held pokers and tongs for the fire in the house of Walter Powell. Markings on the base of the case include: 'APR | 1916' (manufactured April 1916); 'Sp235' (An inspection mark from Karlsruhe: Sp=Spandau); '18'; 'Patronen Fabrick | Karlsruhe' (The manufacturer). On the primer: 'Fried Krupp A.G.' (the manufacturer); '12'. The case itself belongs to the German 7.5 cm Feld Kanone.

Although Walter served in France with an anti-aircraft battery the family believe that this was actually purchased from a friend in Mid-Wales. The decoration is Middle Eastern, and it was probably purchased from Shiek Audi's Jerusalem Oriental Bazaar, Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire, (now Powys). According to local historians Audi spent between March and October of every year in business at Llandrindod before returning to his native home in the winter months. He was taken ill and died in February 1919 in Llandrindod.

Part of a collection relating to Walter H. Powell, Llandrindod Wells, (private / driver M2-267205 Mechanised Transport Army Service Corps). Born 1898, Walter tried to join up under-age on a number of occasions, finally succeeding in 1916. He served many months - (more than 2 years?) - in different army units in Britain, before going over to France. He served as a despatch rider for an anti-aircraft battery in 1918-1919. Walter was gassed "suffering the effects all his life". He was a founder member of Toc-H in Llandrindod, and a keen footballer - he died in 1994 aged 96. However Walter's older brothers (Cliff and Percy Powell) and his uncle (Humphrey Powell) died of wounds sustained during the war.