World War I transport ship HMAT WARILDA

Date1915

Object number00028443

NamePostcard

MediumSilver gelatin print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 90 x 143 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Ray Connor

Terms

DescriptionThis black and white photographic postcard depicts HMAT WARILDA broadside from port view just off shore. One of the cabins has been marked with black ink, with a note beneath it. On the back of the postcard are ten names of men who died on the ship, and the phrase 'lest we forget'.HistoryHMAT WARILDA was owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company, and like many of the company's ships during World War I, it was handed over by the Australian Government to the British. From 1916 it operated as an Ambulance Transport ship, until it was sunk by a submarine on 3 August 1918 laden with patients, staff and crew. Merchant ship WARILDA was requisitioned by the Commonwealth in August 1915, she was fitted up as a transport. As well as transporting troops she was also used as a hospital ship. During her war service she transported more than 7,000 troops and as a hospital ship transported some 80,000 patients. Torpedoed and sunk 3 August 1918 in English Channel. From Australain War Memorial website, Australian Postcard Collection, postcards 2/15/47 and 2/15/61. http://www.awm.gov.au/findingaids/special/Postcards/aus.xml accessed 01/03/2011.SignificanceThis postcard illustrates the use of ambulance transport ships during World War I. Operating in and near war zones as a facility for medical treatment and transport, hospital ships were vital to the war effort.