Entrenching Tool and Carrier, WWI

General Sir Ian Hamilton’s famous line is “You have got through the difficult business, now you must dig, dig, dig, until you are safe”. This was in response to the message sent from the commanding officers describing the dire situation at Gallipoli and that the ANZACs should withdraw on the evening of 25 April 1915.

Entrenching tools were extremely important for quickly establishing trenches under direct fire from Turkish defences along the steep terrain at Gallipoli. Although not used at Gallipoli these items belonged to 12/1030 Sergeant William Joseph Virtue, who served in WWI with the Auckland Infantry Battalion. The e tool is composed of a head that features a shovel and pick, with a central eye. The e tool head slots onto the wooden helve that has a steel cap. The head can be stored inside the canvas web carrier, while the helve is attached to the outer of the carrier, secured by a snap lock dome.