7 Starters Spring Handicap. Berlin or Bust

P08299.001
Download Low Res Image
Order a copy
Accession Number P08299.001
Collection type Photograph
Object type Digital file
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia: Victoria, Seymour
Date made c 1917
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Studio portrait of six privates and a corporal. Identified are machine gunners 4000 Private Bernard Michael (Bern or Barney) Alsop (standing left) and his brother 411 Private Frederick Benedict (Ted) Alsop (seated right). The humorous caption on the photograph reads "7 Starters Spring Handicap. Berlin or bust". Bern Alsop, a labourer of Winchelsea, Victoria, embarked with the 10th Reinforcements, 29th Battalion, on 21 October 1916. He transferred to the 4th Division Machine Gun Company in March 1917 joining his brother Ted, and was appointed lance corporal in June. Ted, a steward, also of Winchelsea, embarked with the 6th Reinforcements 2nd Machine Gun Company on 20 October 1916. Ted arrived in England and underwent further training before appointment as a lance corporal in April 1917. The brothers, now members of the 24th Machine Gun Company arrived in France on 8 September 1917 and on 17 October 1917 Ted was killed in action. A letter held by the family sent by Lieutenant Myers records Ted was in a dugout with two others and all three were killed by a shell and buried just outside a cemetery and a short ceremony presided over by Lt Myers. Post war this grave was not discovered, most likely due to being over-run during ensuing action and his name is recorded on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.

Share this page

Related information

Conflicts

Units

Subjects