Item MM 120183 Photograph - Grave of Private H. G. Shapley, Somme, France, Sergeant John Lord, World War I, 1916-1919

Summary

One of 185 black and white photographs in an album, taken in France during World War I by Sergeant John Lord. Some pages are blank.

Photographs in the album depict army camps, hospitals, trenches, early tanks, landscapes, cemeteries and graves and groups of posed Australian soldiers. The places Lord mentions in his captions are La Boiselle, Quarry Siding, Pozieres, Albert, Bapaume and Favreuil.

The album was one of many souvenirs brought back to Australia after World War I by John Lord (service # 6252). He donated photograph albums, images, documents and World War I memorabilia to Museum Victoria.

The same grave is photographed in MM 120182 and MM 120185. It was the grave of Private Harry Gilbert Shapley, service no.7968. He was killed in action on 17 November 1916, and was buried at Quarry Cemetery, '500 yards north of Montauban', France.

Description of Content

Soldier kneeling next to a grave. The grave is marked by a white cross and a pile of rocks. Inscribed in black on the white cross: '[image of rising sun] KILLED / IN / ACTION / NO 7968 Pte H. G. SHAPLEY / NOV / 16 / 1916 / 13th / AUS / F. AM / [illegible]' Another grave marker is visible in the background. Another soldier is seen walking in the background.

Physical Description

Black and white silver gelatin photographic print.