Soldier doll

item details

NameSoldier doll

ProductionDorothy Broad; maker/artist; 1916; New Zealand

Classificationdolls

Materialsbird bone, wood, metal, cloth

Materials Summarydoll made from a chicken wish bone with hand sewn garments

Techniqueshand sewing

DimensionsOverall: 55mm (width), 95mm (height), 30mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH016401

Credit lineGift of the Abraham family in memory of Dorothy Broad, 2009

Overview

A wishbone soldier

This small doll was made by Dorothy Broad, a talented crafts woman who used her skills during both world wars to help raise money for the war effort. Utilising everyday materials, she has fashioned the soldier's legs and spine from a chicken wishbone, his head from plasticine with beads for eyes, his uniform from scraps of fabric, and his walking or swagger stick from a humble matchstick. The end result is a doll full of character, and hopefully good luck.

It is thought that Dorothy and her sister Frances made such dolls as fund-raisers.

Engaged to a soldier

Like many New Zealand women, Dorothy had an invested interest in soldiers' wellbeing, as her fiance, Thomas Wyville Leonard Rutherfurd, was a captain in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (13th Reinforcements), in the First World War (1914-19). Sadly for Dorothy, Captain Rutherfurd died in Persia (Iran), possibly from pneumonia, three weeks before the Armistice in November 1918.

Captain Rutherfurd was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 for his 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty' at Messines and his command of the party digging a communication trench from St Ypres to the Au Chasseur Caberet. He also received the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal (1914-1920) and Victory Medal.