Soldiers waiting to board the troopship WARILDA

Images(2)

Soldiers waiting to board the troopship WARILDA

Photographer Josiah Earl Barnes (Australian, 1858 - 1921)

Date25 May 1916

Object number00027616

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 114 x 150 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph by Melbourne photographer Josiah E. Barnes of soldiers waiting to board WARILDA, Melbourne. The reverse of the image has a handwritten inscription in pencil probably reading `WARILDA 8 x 6 no4'. The soldier centre right has his name on his kit bag and is identifiable as Walter Benson 3961 who embarked with No 4 Tunnelling Company on HMAT WARILDA on 25 May 1916. Benson returned from the war to Australian on 20 May 1919. The soldier on the far left also has a name on his kit bag: 'W. Anderson' of the Australian Field Engineers. This individual may be William Anderson 4091 who returned from the war in July 1919.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.