J.W. Benson War Service Presentation watch

An appropriate post for the anniversary of the shooting of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on 28th June 1914.

 

The watch has a 15 jewel movement by Revue Thommen  for J.W. Benson. It is interesting to note that in 1918 they are still engraving movements "J.W. Benson, 62 & 64 Ludgate Hill, London, By Warrant to H.M. the late Queen Victoria" 17 years after her death.

Of more interest is the engraving on the dust cover:

War Service
1914-1918
Bombr G.H. Martin.
R.F.A
Presented by
The Parish if Erbistock

 

 

I saw a couple of watches with similar inscriptions last year but I did not bid enough and did not win them and I can't remember if they were presented by the same Welsh parish. It is interesting that this small parish and perhaps others could raise enough cash to buy quite such an expensive watch for one of it's parishioners.  

 

Bombardier (corporal) Martin of the Royal Field Artillery was lucky to survive the first war and to get this fine watch.