WW2 Trench Art to a Lt/ Col

[Spitace41]

Hi all. Picked this up recently. Nice piece of Silver plated trench art, a shell case turned into an ashtray and I guess that once upon a time there was a lighter in the middle. The reason I brought this was for the inscription relating to a Lieutenant Colonel Olson on VE day and the REME Insignia on the other side. Overall, this is what I would consider to be an example of "higher echelon" trench art that will hopefully be researchable. Cheers.

[Jerry B]

Cool item and you don't see WWII examples very often and certainly not a named presentation piece.

[Thepro570]

That's very Nice. How did you come across that piece?

[Wagriff]

I would say that the center well may have at one time had a cap on it and contained matches, rather than holding a lighter. Just a guess!