Members of No 1 Flying Squadron AFC waiting to board HMAT ORSOVA, Melbourne

Images(2)

Members of No 1 Flying Squadron AFC waiting to board HMAT ORSOVA, Melbourne

Photographer Josiah Earl Barnes (Australian, 1858 - 1921)

Date16 March 1916

Object number00027607

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 121 x 166 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis black and white photograph depicts a group of soldiers of the No 1 Squadron, Flying Corps, AIF, standing at attention on a wharf while they wait to board the troopship ORSOVA. The reverse has a handwritten inscription in lead pencil reading: 'ORSOVA 16/3/16'. Two men in this image are identifiable from the text on their kit bags. Centre is Frederick Charles Davis 217 and to the right of him is Lieutenant Eric Glendower Roberts. Davis returned to Australia in March 1919 and Roberts was retired with shell shock around March 1917. The individual second from left, from row has what appears to be the number '208' on his kit bag. This gentleman is likely to be Alan Otto Andersen of 1 Flying Squadron AFC.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. ORSOVA was built by John Brown & Co., Glasgow and launched in November 1908 for the Orient Steam Navigation Company's London/ Australia service. The name ORSOVA was derived from a village on the Danube River in Europe was used to refer to a fleet of six ships ordered by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. The other vessels of the ORSOVA class were ORAMA, OTWAY, OSTERLEY, ORVIETO and OTRANTO. In 1914 ORSOVA was requisitioned by the Australian Government for use as a troopship. On 14 March 1917 ORSOVA came under attack from German torpedoes while transporting troops through the English Channel. The vessel was run aground by her captain and was not fit for use again until after the war had finished. After WW1 ORSOVA returned to servicing the London/ Australia passenger route, taking a final voyage in August 1936.