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22nd battalion waiting to board the troopship NESTOR
22nd battalion waiting to board the troopship NESTOR

22nd battalion waiting to board the troopship NESTOR

Photographer (Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date2 October 1916
Object number00027618
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 122 x 167 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis black and white photograph by photographer Josiah Barnes depicts a group of soldiers standing and kneeling for their group portrait on a Melbourne wharf. They are waiting to board the WW1 troopship NESTOR. A soldier at the back carries a flag reading `KI' and two soldiers in the front display a flag. The terminal appears behind the group and a steamship appears upper right. The reverse of the print has a handwritten inscription in pencil at the base reading: "NESTOR punch 4". Two of the soldiers in the front row, far right, are identifiable by their kit bags. Francis Henry King (left) returned to Australia on 7 July 1919. John Michael Hassett (right) died at Bullecourt, France, on 3 May 1917 still serving with the 22nd.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 twin screw steamer NESTOR was built in Belfast in 1912 and was part of the Blue Funnel Line's fleet working the England to Australia passenger service. NESTOR was requisitioned by the Australian Government in 1915 as a troopship and returned to passenger services in 1920. In June 1936 NESTOR was involved in the salvage rescue of MUNGANA which had drifted close to rocks at Cape Jaffa. Both vessels sustained damage during the rescue operation, however NESTOR was able to attach a line and tow the disabled MUNGANA to Port Adelaide. NESTOR was sold for breaking at Faslane in 1950.