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.

Image of Major McNicholl and Captain Finlayson meeting in Cairo. Major Walter Ramsey McNicholl was assigned to the Headquarters of the 7th Battalion. He returned to Australia in 1918. Captain Christopher Finlayson was also assigned to the Headquarters of the 7th Battalion. He was wounded in early April 1915 and returned to Australia in 1916.

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 two men in military uniforms standing on a street corner, shaking hands. Directly behind the men a young man sitting on a donkey is visible. In the background on the left hand side of the photograph, a group of people, including what appears to be children, are standing on the opposite side of the road to the uniformed men. Stretching into the background buildings lining the street are visible.

Physical Description

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

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