A Gunner’s Clock

We have a range of timepieces in our collection, each with a story to tell, including this artillery-themed mantle clock.

This is an eight-day mantle clock, meaning it was mechanically wound once a week in order to keep time. It has been mounted into a carved wooden frame and stand in the form of the WWII-era Regiment of New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) cap badge.

The RNZA cap badge features a cannon, representing the long history of artillery in warfare, surmounted by a Crown. Above the cannon is a scroll inscribed with the letters “NZ” and below is a scroll with the motto “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT” meaning “whither right and glory lead”, reflecting a Gunner’s duty to be wherever needed. The mantle clock has been mounted where the cannon normally sits. 

This remarkable piece was made in the Pacific during World War II by 434471 Gunner Frederick Haddrell (Fred) Jones who served with the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, New Zealand Artillery. Amazingly, Fred is believed to have hand-carved the frame of the clock using only a pocket knife and a nail, then polished with nugget to give it its darkened colour. A special timepiece, for sure!

Pictured: 1986.1404 – Carved wooden clock, hand made by Gunner Fred Jones in the Pacific, WWII. National Army Museum Te Mata Toa.