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 the men of the 7th Battalion waiting for the train to take them to Ismalia. According to its war diaries, the 7th Battalion received orders to move to Ismalia on the 2nd of February 1915 and according to the inscription this image was taken on February 4, 1915.

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

A large group of uniformed Australian soldiers sitting in the sand waiting. Each of the soldiers is carrying a gun. A few of the men at the back of the group are standing and facing the opposite way to the photographer. In the left of the photograph, behind the group of men a tall signal tower stands. More of these towers are located on the right hand side of the photograph, and continue to stretch into the distance.

Physical Description

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

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