*British, Modern, Named Trench Art 105mm Field Gun Shell Vase – Lt J. J. Orchard RN, 7 Air Assault Bn REME Aviation Service 2011–2013*
A powerful and highly personal piece of modern British trench art, this striking 105mm Field gun shell vase is fashioned from a 2004-issued fired cartridge case and engraved to commemorate the named aviation engineering service of Lieutenant J. J. Orchard, Royal Navy, during his attachment to the elite 7 Air Assault Battalion REME between March 2011 and December 2013. The brass has been polished to a rich, warm patina, and the mouth neatly cut to form an elegant slanted, asymmetrical rim, giving the piece strong sculptural presence and immediate visual impact.
The body is dominated by a finely engraved REME cap badge, showing the crowned lion astride a lightning flash above a globe, flanked by the R.E.M.E scroll—an emblem synonymous with British military engineering excellence.
Above the badge is the personalised dedication:
“Lt J J Orchard RN”
Below, the unit inscription records a defined period of aviation engineering service:
- AEO 72 Avn Coy – Aviation Engineering Officer, 72 Aviation Company, a REME aviation support unit specialising in aircraft maintenance and engineering
- 7 AA Bn REME – 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the airborne REME battalion supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade
- Mar 2011 – Dec 2013
The piece stands 28.8 cm tall with a 12.6 cm base diameter, and retains its original military headstamp and primer, fully visible and undisturbed to the base—an important feature for collectors.
Base / Headstamp Markings:
105MM Fd – Identifies the case as a 105mm Field gun cartridge, the standard calibre for the British L118 Light Gun
RW 297 – Factory drawing reference number for the specific cartridge case design
CAQ – Canadian Arsenals Ltd., Quebec, a NATO-approved manufacturer supplying ammunition cases under contract
031 – Likely a lot, batch, or inspection number used for ordnance traceability
O4 – Year of manufacture code
Primer Markings:
-RG04 – Royal Ordnance / Radway Green manufacture, dated 2004
- OOO – Indicates use of a Unified (60-degree) thread form rather than the traditional British Whitworth thread, allowing NATO interchangeability
- L10 A1 / 067 – Electric primer type used with the L118 Light Gun, which employs electrical rather than percussion ignition
-11/04 – Month and year of primer manufacture (November 2004)
-586A GD – Government Department and inspection mark confirming official military acceptance
Together, these markings confirm a British-service cartridge with NATO-contract manufacture, entirely consistent with later service use prior to firing and subsequent conversion into commemorative trench art.
Historical Note:
This shell case was originally fired in service as a 105mm Field (Fd) gun round, most commonly associated with the L118 Light Gun, the standard light artillery piece of the British Army and many NATO allies from the 1970s onward. Following its service life, the case was repurposed into a commemorative trench-art vase to mark the service of Lieutenant J. J. Orchard, Royal Navy, during a period of attachment to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
The inscription records service with 72 Aviation Company, 7 Air Assault Battalion REME, a specialist airborne unit based at Wattisham Airfield and responsible for aviation engineering support to 16 Air Assault Brigade, including high-readiness and expeditionary roles. The period March 2011 to December 2013 coincides with sustained UK operational commitments during the Afghanistan era, when REME aviation units were heavily engaged in maintaining aircraft availability under demanding conditions.
Although the term trench art originated during the First World War, the tradition of transforming spent artillery cases into named and commemorative pieces has continued within the British forces. Examples such as this are increasingly sought after for their combination of personal service history, elite unit association, and the enduring craftsmanship of military remembrance.
*Condition*
The shell remains structurally sound, with no splits or cracks. All engraved elements are crisp and legible, with good depth to the lettering and insignia. The brass surface displays attractive natural patination, oxidation spotting, and colour variation consistent with a fired cartridge and later hand-finishing, enhancing both authenticity and visual appeal. The rim is cleanly cut and smooth to the touch. The base and primer are intact and undisturbed. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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