Soldiers waiting to board a troopship, Melbourne

Photographer Josiah Earl Barnes (Australian, 1858 - 1921)

Date8 February 1916

Object number00027624

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 121 x 164 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph by Josiah Barnes of soldiers on a wharf waiting to board a WW1 troopship. They stand in line with their kit bags and the soldiers toward the back of the line have musical instruments, including a piano accordian and a trumbone. An officer stands at right holding a white cane. The soldier toward the back of the line holds his kitbag which reads: 'V. V 3951'. This man is probably Vere Vains (MM) of the 23 Infantry Battalion who departed Melbourne on HMAT WARILDA on 8 February 1916.HistoryMelbourne based photographer Josiah Barnes had two sons, Norm and Victor, who left for war in 1916 (both returned to Australia after their service). Barnes appears to have taken an interest around this time in photographing the troopships as they departed for war from Melbourne. The merchant ship WARILDA was built in Glasgow in 1912 for coastal transport services on the East-West coast of Australia. In August 1915 the vessel was requisitioned by the Commonwealth and fitted up for use as a troopship. In 1916 the vessel was converted to a hospital ship. During her war service WARILDA transported more than 7,000 troops and as a hospital ship she transported approximately 80,000 patients. WARILDA was torpedoed and sunk 3 August 1918 in English Channel.