Summary
One of thirteen black and white photographs that relate to the 24th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), during World War I. Part of a larger collection that was donated by the Returned Servicemen's League of Australia Limited (RSL).
A soldier stands in front of an Australian Comforts Fund buffet. He is drinking from a cup while another soldier watches on.
Taken in December, 1916, just after the brutal Somme Offensive (1 July - 18 Novemember) in the wooded area north of the Somme River. The mud of the ruined terrain covers the men and the small buffet station.
A sense of humour is present in the cynical joke 'Pea Soup or Cocoa' - a dry comment on the quality of the limited food and drink available to troops at the frontline. Soldiers wrote with detail on food and drink conditions on the front - and welcomed the sight of the Australian Comforts Fund, as it often signalled leaving the front and a chance for rest and recouperation in the rear zones.
Description of Content
A soldier standing in front of an Australian Comforts Fund buffet. He is drinking from a cup while another soldier watches on.
Physical Description
Black and white, silver gelatin photograph 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 from Victorian Branch, Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL), circa 1986
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Place & Date Depicted
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Donor
Victorian Branch, Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL)
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Organisation Depicted
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Organisation Depicted
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Format
Photograph, Monochrome
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Inscriptions
Embossed on the back of the photograph; 'AUSTRALIAN OFFICIAL / PHOTOGRAPH / COPYRIGHT' Hand written in grey pencil on the back of the photograph; 'E34 / Pea Soup or Cocoa' Typed on a piece of paper that is adhered to the back of the photograph [half of it missing]; '....ralian Comforts Buffet.'
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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
217 mm (Width), 163 mm (Height)
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References
Data for description of content found at the Australian War Memorial website. This exact image can be found with ID number: E00034. [Link 1]
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Keywords
Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918, Military Memorabilia, Military History, Military Rations, Militaria: Australian, Troops, Food Workers, Battle of the Somme (Somme Offensive), 1916
