The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: 10/13/007 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No10 Adam Park Report No: Report No.18 Artifact Type: Personal Kit Production Date: 2013-09-13 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: 20mm dia Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

Item 10/13/007 was identified as the top of an oil container from the SMLE gun cleaning kit. The kit could be carried in the butt of the SMLE or as part of the personnel items in the kit bag. It consisted of a brass ‘pull through’, a 75mm rod with a hole at the end of it through which a length of chord was passed, and the top of an ‘oiler’, a brass container which held gun oil. The brass screw cap of the container also acted as a spatula used to apply the oil to the working parts of the weapon.

Historic Context:

This item was of particular interest as it was engraved with the letter ‘S’ and the number ‘184’. Initially this was thought to be a manufacturer’s mark however it did not correspond with known marks and it is usual for such marks to be embossed on the base of the container and not the cap. Speculation then turned to the possibility of the inscription relating to the owner. Many men personalised their kit by inscribing the last three digits of their identification number and initials. However a check of the nominal roll of the 1st Cambridgeshires came up with only one man with the last three of ‘184’. Pte Grigg 5933184 however was assigned to 55 Brigade HQ protection party and was not thought to be at Adam Park during the fighting. There is a possibility that the item belonged to an Australian POW. A search of the AMF Prisoners of War and Missing in the Far East and South West Pacific Islands database held at the AWM reveals three men with the last three of 184 and a surname beginning with ‘S’ who may have been in the camp: Pte W J Skardon NX25184 of the 3 Reserve Motor Transport Company Pte F J H Stabback VX32184 of the 2/10 Field Company Engineers Pte J A Sowter TX4184 of the 2/4 Casualty Clearing Station