Summary
Small red and brown book titled 'Autographs of my comrades on active service.' Marlborough Series (copyright). Used by G.P. Mulcahy during World War I.
Sergeant Gilbert Payne Mulcahy enlisted on 15 February 1915. He was assigned to the 6th Brigade Headquarters and embarked from Melbourne to on the HMAT Ulysses on 10 May 1915. He served with the 6th Brigade in Gallipoli from September to December 1915 before being evacuated to Egypt suffering influenza. Later Gilbert served on Western Front, where he was awarded the Meritorious Medal in October 1916 'in recognition of [his] valuable services rendered during the present war.' After the war Gilbert lived in Melbourne and resumed his work as a clerk. His war service caused life-long hearing loss. He died in 1979.
The 6th Brigade was part of the Machine Gun Companies and Battalions.
Description of Content
AUTOGRAPH BOOK ENTITLED "AUTOGRAPHS OF MY COMRADES ON ACTIVE SERVICE".
Physical Description
Red and light brown cover with dark brown writing. Inside front cover particulars of identification. 20 page book.
Significance
Curator's Note: I would imagine that the fashion for obtaining autographs of those with whom the solder served would have lapsed fairly quickly after the casualties mounted. This autograph book was probably printed early in the War.
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), Mrs I. W. Morgan, Jun 1987
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Original Owner
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Organisation Depicted
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Individuals Identified
MULCAHY, GILBERT PAYNE
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Format
Book
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Inscriptions
Front cover "Autographs of My Comrades on Active Service". Marlborough Series (copyright). Inside cover "particulars of identification" G. P. Mulcahy Reg No 1, Rank: Sergeant Major, 6th a. l. Brigade HQ, Next of Kin (father) J. S. Mulcahy, Address: 8 Victoria Grove Auburn, Melbourne Victoria Aust. Some signatures that are legible are, Cecil H Rainsdale (Dec 6th 1918), Sydney Bates (17/6/17), L. V. Mc Coy, Cecil Lane, William Charles Richardson (64 Electra Street Williamstown), G. W. Howling (France 23/1/18), Percy Frances Gibb (79 Murphy St Richmond), W. McConville (Lancefield Vic), C. Roberts (5/12/18 43 Foote St Albert Park Melbourne). Back of cover has written YZEUX 20/10/18, HALINNES 20/12/18, 1030 24/12/18, 24/12/18, 28/2/19, HAVRE.
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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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Overall Dimensions
13.2 cm (Length), 8.9 cm (Width), 0.2 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
13.2 mm (Length), 8.9 mm (Width)
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Keywords
Militaria: Australian, Military Memorabilia, World War I, 1914-1918, Autographs, Battle of the Somme (Somme Offensive), 1916