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Soldiers awaiting embarkation on HMAT NESTOR, Melbourne
Soldiers awaiting embarkation on HMAT NESTOR, Melbourne

Soldiers awaiting embarkation on HMAT NESTOR, Melbourne

Photographer (Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date2 October 1915
Object number00027604
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 121 x 167 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPhotograph by Josiah Barnes of soldiers awaiting to board the troopship NESTOR at Kew, Melbourne, Australia, c 1916. The soldier kneeling in the front row, far right carries a kit bag reading: 'R. V. Matthews (?) N 6534'. Reginald Vernald Matthews embarked from Melbourne on 2 October 1916 onboard HMAT NESTOR for service with the 5th Battalion AIF and returned to Australia in 1917.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 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.