1935 date photograph of Australian Artillery (Militia) Unit
 

I was having a sort out of my collection and came across this photograph that was taken by a Melbourne photographer in 1935. I thought it may be of interest for people who are into the badges and uniforms of that era.

Apologies for the quality of my photo but the original has been rolled up for a long time and its difficult to get a good photo without light reflections.

Majority of the men are wearing the standard militia artillery uniforms of the period but there are a few variations when a closer look is taken.

Photo also includes a Staff Corps officer, sitting next to him what appears to be a member of the Instructional Corps although the collar badges have thrown me, the other officer in light uniform has artillery collars, and on the far left what appears to be a trooper from the 13th Gippsland Light Horse.

Can't pick where the photo was taken.

Happy to provide larger scan of photo if people are interested.

Had a request for additional pics so have scanned it in 4 photos because it was to long to do as one pic.

Hi Dennis,

They appear to be wearing 2nd Cavalry Division artillery colour patches so are most likely brigade headquarters and 44th Battery of 22nd Field Brigade, Royal Australian Artillery (Militia) at Swan Street, Richmond.

The black armbands being worn by a couple suggest it might be around the time of the death of HM King George V. I also note at least one sergeant and a gunner wearing the armband for battery signallers in accordance with Instructions for Practice - Light, Medium and Heavy Artillery 1924. They might be on annual camp 1935.

The officer with all the ribbons is most likely the CO, LTCOL E G Lister DSO VD.

Regards, Keith

Great photo Dennis , I have one also but no date can any one say what period and if they recognise any one or what unit?
Sorry about the flash :(

Rob

Have added 3 further photos as you can see some ribbon bars Boer War?

Sorry about hijacking your thread Dennis :)

Given the ages of many of those men and the lack of medal ribbons, wearing of a variety of regimental and corps insignia, etc, I think you might be looking at a District HQ, or fortress commanders' staff or something similar during the Great War.

Keith

The rear rank may be wearing oxidised copper RAA collar badges (if not rising suns), are you able to get a decent photo of the man standing on left of photo, side on to us. If copper oxidised this would place it from 1917 onwards.

There are quite a few warrant officers in that photo, I'm not certain why they would be wearing cross straps which wasn't normal practice for their rank in those days.

Keith

Thanks for all the extra info Keith, its amazing how different people see different things in the same photograph.

Thanks also Keith and have added day light shots might help .

Rob

Hi Rob,

Did you mean you've added new photos to this thread? I'm not getting any on my screen.

Cheers, Keith

Photos added to post #4 in this thread.

Thanks Mike, must have scrolled down too fast.

Rob,

Definitely sometime between 1917-19, some officers of militia field and garrison artillery there as well as permanent soldiers.

This might be the staff at School of Gunnery, South Head, Sydney, or Artillery Training Camp at Marrickville. I'll try and see if I can identify a couple of officers, there were not too many Gunner colonels in those days.

Keith

Thanks I was told photo was taken Melb but there are no marking to indicate that.