Photograph - AIF Signalers, Broadmeadows, Victoria, World War I, 1915

Summary

Group photograph of a group of AIF Signalers, taken at Broadmeadows Camp, Victoria, 1915. Sapper Alfred Galbraith is included in the group, though he is not identified. Alfred Galbraith completed signals training at Broadmeadows Camp 15 October 1915. Broadmeadows was the site of signals training for all Australian troops during the first call up. Engineering and signalling training did not include weapons training. The photograph was printed by Frazer & Vallance Photographers, Melbourne.

Born in Maryborough, Sapper Alfred George Finlay Galbraith was the son of Alfred and Amy C. Galbraith, of W.R. Institute, Flinders Street, Station Buildings, Melbourne. He trained as an electrical engineer and enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of 20, in July 1915. His father gave written permission for him to join 'the Military Forces to serve the Empire abroad' (his mother had already died). Galbraith served in the 5th Division Signalling Company, Australian Engineers, AIF, embarking from Melbourne on 23 November 1915 on the 'Ceramic'. He went to Egypt for further training, then was shipped to France, disembarking 27 June 1916 at Marseilles. Less than three weeks later, on 15 July, he received a wound in the thigh and a 'penetrating wound in the neck'. He died the same day at the 8th Australian Field Ambulance.

Description of Content

Studio photograph of a group of soldiers in a variety of uniforms, taken at Broadmeadows Training camp, Victoria, 1915. There are fifty-nine soldiers in the photograph.