Summary

One of 108 images in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Captain Edward Albert McKenna. The album contains photographs of the 7th Battalion in Egypt.

The image shows vessels on Lake Trinsah, Ismalia. One of the vessels has been identified as the HMS Swiftsure. The HMS Swiftsure was a Swiftsure-class pre-Dreadnought Battleship with the Rpyal Navy. She was commissioned in 1903 and served as an escort for Indian troops travelling from Bombay-Aden. Following the destruction of the SMS Emden, this was deemed unnecessary and she was transferred to patrol the Suez Canal. She was later present during the Dardanelles campaign before moving to the Atlantic. The Swiftsure survived the war and was sold for scrap in 1920.

The album relates to the service of Captain Edward Albert McKenna. McKenna, born in Castlemaine, Victoria, was a 36-year-old department manager of soft goods when he enlisted on 17 August 1914. He lived at 5 St James Buildings, William Street, Melbourne, and had been married to Elizabeth ('Lillie') Mary McKenna since 1910. He embarked from Melbourne 19 October 1914 on the HMAT Hororata, and served in the 7th Battalion Australian Infantry.

He was killed in action in Gallipoli around 25-30 April 1915, aged 37. His kit bag was unusually full, even containing seven shirts, a pillow, six towels, a travelling rug, gumboots, and pyjamas and slippers. Also amongst his possessions was a camera, although no photographic prints or albums.

He was buried at 7 Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli. His details appear on the honours roll on the web page of the Australian War Memorial.

Description of Content

The photograph shows in the mid distance four battleships in a row, floating on, what the inscription refers to as, Lake Trinsah, Ismalia. A small portion of sandy beach can be seen in the foreground.

Physical Description

Black and white photographic print on paper with a white border.

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