Private Victor Earl Barnes 3242
Photographer
Josiah Earl Barnes
(Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date1915
Object number00027601
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print
DimensionsOverall: 140 x 88 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPhotograph by Melbourne photographer Josiah E. Barnes of his son, Victor Earl Barnes dressed in his army uniform. Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Victor Barnes stands wearing a slouch hat and holding a baton with both hands behind his back. The reverse of the image is printed as a postcard and along the left side is the printed text `J.E. Barnes, Photo, Kew. Phone 1966 Hawthorn'. Beneath this is a handwritten inscription reading: `Victor Earl Barnes 1915'.HistoryVictor Earl Barnes embarked on HMAT NESTOR on 11 October 1915 for service with the 14th Infantry Battalion. Victor Barnes transferred to the 46th Battalion in March 1916, and was injured while serving with this unit in France in June 1917. While recovering at the 11th Casualty Clearing Station, the site was bombed and Barnes received further injuries. Like his younger brother Norman Clarence Barnes, Victor survived the war and returned to Australia in July 1919.
The twin screw steamer NESTOR was built in Belfast in 1912 and was part of the Blue Funnel Line's fleet working the England to Australia passenger service. NESTOR was requisitioned by the Australian Government in 1915 as a troopship and returned to passenger services in 1920. In June 1936 NESTOR was involved in the salvage rescue of MUNGANA which had drifted close to rocks at Cape Jaffa. Both vessels sustained damage during the rescue operation, however NESTOR was able to attach a line and tow the disabled MUNGANA to Port Adelaide. NESTOR was sold for breaking at Faslane in 1950.
