Bag

This leather bag was made by a disabled soldier, probably from the First World War.Creation of products like this bag was part of the rehabilitation of soldiers who were injured in the First and Second World Wars. Rehabilitation centres were set up around New Zealand in order to teach men vocational skills. Selling the results was one of the few ways that disabled servicemen could earn a living.

The leather industry was the first activity established by the Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment League (established in 1930). It was started in 1932 by the Dunedin Branch with the object of providing a sheltered occupation for badly disabled men.Travel goods and cases and all kinds of leather articles were made.

Objects such as this bag crafted by men disabled by war can be deceptively simple and humble, but profound in terms of war's impact on human life.