One of Australia's oldest unopened bottles of beer, which was meant to be shared between mates more than 80 years ago, now stands as a tribute to friendship from the Second World War.
Stanley (Stan) Lewis and Frederick (Fred) Hume, were both from New South Wales, and enlisted together in early 1941 in the 2/30th Infantry Battalion.
"Before leaving, Stan and Fred purchased a bottle of Tooth's Draught Ale from the Wingham Hotel and made a pact to open and share it when they returned from the war," said Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson.
"They entrusted the bottle to Stan's mother, Rubie Lewis, who looked after it for the duration of the war but sadly, he didn't make it back."
"This bottle of beer tells a story of friendship and loss and now, ultimately, one of survival."
