Lot 263: WWI Australia Contemporary War Photograph of 'France, Picardie, Somme, Chipilly … 13 August 1918'

Unknown Official Australian War Photographer

20.8x14.8cm

Military & Wartime

Photos

628

Collectibles

"Members of the 3rd Australian Battalion on the Somme Canal repairing a bridge which had been blown up by the Germans in their retreat. The battalion were issued with orders to rebuild the steel girder bridge between Cerisy and Chipilly. Seated on the bridge wearing a white shirt, hat and leggings is 2067 Private (Pte) Sidney Frank Flenley. Pte Flenley referred to th photograph in his diary, writing "(w)e started erecting a big iron bridge that was blown up at Cerisey (sic), the official photographer took our photos on it." (AWM)

An original photograph with evidence on back that it was removed from a contemporary album collection.