Private Clarence Norman Barnes 540
Photographer
Josiah Earl Barnes
(Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Datec 1916
Object number00027602
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print
DimensionsOverall: 140 x 88 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPhotograph by Melbourne photographer Josiah Barnes of his son, Clarence Norman Barnes. Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This black and white photograph depicts Norm Barnes dressed in his army uniform and holding a baton with both hands behind his back. The reverse of the image is printed as a postcard, and along the left side is the printed text `J.E. Barnes, photo, Kew. Phone 1966 Hawthorn'. Beneath this is the handwritten inscription: `Norm Barnes' in lead pencil.HistoryNorman Clarence Barnes embarked Australia on the troopship HMAT PERSIC on 3 June 1916 with the 37th Infantry Battalion. In August 1918, after transferring to the 5th Battalion, Barnes was wounded in action in France, suffering a gunshot wound to his right foot. Like his older brother Victor Earl Barnes, Norm Barnes survived the war and returned to Australia in early 1919.
PERSIC was built in Belfast and introduced to Australian trade in the early 20th century, serving with the White Star Line. PERSIC served as troop transport for Boer War soldiers and again during WW1. PERSIC survived one torpedo attack before a second struck fatally on 7 September 1918 in the region of the Scilly Isles. PERSIC was sold for scrapping in Holland in 1927.
