World War I binoculars found at auction sparks a search for Digger’s family 100 years on

IF THESE 100-year-old binoculars could talk, it would give insight into the man who carried it from Gallipoli to the Western Front.

Andrew Eggleston found some World War I-era binoculars. He is hoping to get them reunited with the family of the digger who had them in 1916. They will be on display at Surfers RSL this week. Picture Glenn Hampson

IF these 100-year-old binoculars could talk, they would give insight into the man who carried them from Gallipoli to the Western Front.

The World War I optics travelled in the equipment of Lieutenant Keith Raymond Crewes from South Australia.

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Their movements since the end of the war in 1918 remain a mystery until they were bought by collector Andrew Eggleston at a Gold Coast auction in 2010.

Despite having a penchant for military antiques, Mr Eggleston said he had never before seen an item like the binoculars, which still bear Lt Crewes’ name and service number on their aged leather strap and case.

Andrew Eggleston with the World War I-era binoculars. Photo: Glenn Hampson

With Anzac Day fast approaching, the Hinterland resident said he hoped to reunite the binoculars with Lt Crewes’ descendants.

“I got it a few years ago when the binoculars caught my eye because it had a sense of history about it,” he said.

“In the past week I looked into it and I found a great deal of history to it, finding out that Crewes had been in so many different fields of combat.

“It would be good if there were some family still around, given his grassroots were in South Australia and it would be nice to see if it could get back there.”

Lt Crewes joined the Australian Imperial Force in early 1915 at the age of just 19 and served at Gallipoli in the months following the April 25, 1915 landings.

The young South Australian spent time in the Middle East as well as in France on the Western Front where he was wounded in 1917 and again in 1918.

Lt Crewes received the Military Cross for his service on the Hindenberg Line in May, 1917.

His service record notes the medal was granted for bravery.

“Lieutenant Crews brought fire to bear over his left flank and rear and although in great danger of being mopped up, he held on until the position was cleared up,” his citation read.

“He also displayed great gallantry during the bombardment and destruction of his three posts, holding on until his whole garrison were either killed or wounded.”

After the war the farmer returned to Australia and died in his home state in 1988 at the age of 93.

Originally published as World War I binoculars found at auction sparks a search for Digger’s family 100 years on