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Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Muir McFarlane boarding USS ASTORIA
Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Muir McFarlane boarding USS ASTORIA

Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Muir McFarlane boarding USS ASTORIA

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
DateAugust 1934
Object number00024261
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph depicts Victoria Barracks' Acting Base Commandant at the time, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Muir McFarlane, boarding USS ASTORIA and saluting United States Navy officers and sailors. ASTORIA visited Sydney in August 1934 during its shakedown cruise of the Pacific. The first medal on his uniform is a British War Medal, the second is possibly a Victory Medal and the third, the 1914-15 Star Medal.HistoryPercy Muir McFarlane CBE was born in Strathalbyn, South Australia on 10 January 1880. He had a distinguished military career, having served across three wars - the Boer War, World War I and World War II. During his service in the Australian Imperial Force, he was wounded in Gallipoli on 12 July 1915 and promoted to the rank of temporary major. A few weeks later he was promoted to major and transferred to the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In 1919, a letter dated 12 September notes that Lieutenant-Colonel McFarlane was appointed for ‘special duty in connection with the deportation of enemy aliens.’ McFarlane was awarded a British War Medal in 1920, a 1914-15 Star Medal and a Victory Medal in 1923 for his service during World War I. He was Base Commandant in South Australia and Western Australia. In 1939, McFarlane retired and was on holiday in England when World War II broke out and he offered his services to the War Office in London. Before his death on 2 August 1946, McFarlane rose to the rank of Brigadier.SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, warships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.