Summary
Photograph of a group of servicemen lying on the ground, wearing gas hoods or helmets (also known as Tube Helmets). Newer model Small Box Respirators were introduced in August 1916, and became standard issue in the spring of 1917 (Feburary-May). The photograph may have been taken before their introduction, or the exercise may have used older equipment.
One of an album of 24 black and white photographs of the Middle East during World War I, probably taken by Australian Flying Corps photographer Norman Henry Clutterbuck, the maternal uncle of the previous owner Ray Kerby. The album mostly contains aerial photographs of locations around the Middle East including Jerusalem, Jericho, Gaza and Jaffa some of which appear to be duplicates of photographs found in the war diaries of the No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, held at the Australian War Memorial. The album ST 41221, from the same source, contains copies of some of the images included in this album.
Description of Content
Image depicting a group of servicemen lying in a diagonal line in the desert across the top portion of the image, facing a away from the camera. Half a dozen servicemen stand behind them, apparently watching the others.
Physical Description
Black and white photographic print on paper
More Information
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Collection Names
Military Memorabilia Collection, Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation & Subsequent Transfer from Victorian Branch, Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL), Mr Ray (Raymond) V. Kerby, Aug 1987
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Date Depicted
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Photographer (Probable)
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Previous Owner
Mr Ray (Raymond) V. Kerby
Previous owner of the album in which the photograph appears. His name is inscribed in the front of the album. He was the nephew of the probable photographer, Norman Henry Clutterbuck. -
Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Handwritten in white ink on the support underneath the bottom right corner of the photograph: 'TRAINING FOR A GAS ATTACK'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
100 mm (Width), 75 mm (Height)
Approximate dimensions [margins of photograph are obscured by the window mount of the album]
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References
Information on the dates of introduction of Small Box Respirators from the Imperial War Museum, [Link 1] accessed 24/3/2016.
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Keywords
Aerial Photographs, Air Forces, Military Memorabilia, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918, Gas Warfare