A group of 22 photographs taken at Cairo and Mena Camp by Second Lieutenant Frederick Alfred Galagher, 6th Battalion
Vintage gelatin silver photographs (each one approximately 99 × 147 mm), extensively captioned in ink on the versos; they are dated between 19 December 1914 and 8 January 1915, shortly prior to Galagher's deployment to Gallipoli where he was killed in action on 8 May 1915 in the 2nd Division's attack on Krithia, near Cape Helles.
Four of the prints are slightly stained; a few have tiny ink marks on the recto (identifying landmarks or soldiers); an excellent group.
All but three of the captions are signed 'Fred' or initialled 'F' (but all captions are in the same hand); seven are numbered in series. Seven images show Australian, New Zealand and Allied troop movements in central Cairo around the coronation of the newly-installed puppet Sultan Hussein Kamel (misidentified as the Khedive in the captions); nine show life in and around Mena Camp, at the foot of the pyramids, with numerous landmarks and several officers identified. The final six images show the visit to the camp of Sir George Reid (High Commissioner in London and former Prime Minister of Australia), accompanied by Brigadier General Bridges and Major General Birdwood ('This is midwinter & the temperature on this day at noon was 98 deg shade 189 in the sun', writes Galagher on a scene showing Sir George in tails and top hat). [22 items].
Item #121058
Price (AUD):
$1,500.00