Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of a service-used Second World War Australian Mounted Cavalry Canteen, complete with leather carrier straps and shoulder strap. It is named to Thomas Joseph Gleeson, of the 1st Australian Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, who was court martialed several times and discharged for his conduct and being tried in a civil court while in the service.

The canteen retains its original leather straps in good service-worn shape, on which is written Wr. T. Gleeson VX80325. This serial number and last name identifies the canteen to Gunner Thomas Joseph Gleeson. The cork of the canteen has broken in two, with the cork still stuck in the cap. The top of the cork has a maker’s mark RIDER & BELL SYDNEY. The top of the green wool cover has come off mostly, but still has some of its stitching which keeps it attached.

Thomas Joseph Gleeson was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, on December 15th, 1922. He enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on June 15th, 1922, at the age of 19. His service number is VX80325, which is written on the side of the canteen. During his service, Gleeson was switched between several different units, likely due to his incompetence and tendency to break the law. Going into 1943, Gleeson had several charges against him, including going AWOL several times, being under the influence while driving, and Larceny, for which he was tried in a civil court and given six months imprisonment. We have included much of the research on Gleeson in this listing, but there is certainly still more research to be done.

The Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was raised as a separate army and introduced its own numbering system. Numbers were allocated according to the military district in which the soldier enlisted, commencing from 1. The number was prefixed with an index letter for the district and an “X” to indicate enlistment in the Second AIF (for example VX12843). So in this case, VX80325 indicates the 3rd Military District (Victoria).

Ready for further research and display!