27th Battalion grave photography project

The graves of 6607 Private (Pte) William Charles Mansell of Mt Gambier, SA, and 6173 Pte Charles William Westland of Adelaide, SA, both of the 27th Battalion, killed in action (KIA) 12 May 1918, in Bonnay British Cemetery. Behind are the graves of 2196 Pte George Thomas Hurley , 43rd Battalion, of Norward, SA, KIA 14 April 1918; 3026 Pte Joshua John Ball, of Orroroo, SA, 43rd Battalion, KIA 14 April 1918; 2563 Pte Charles Avon Foreman, 43rd Battalion, of Northam, WA, KIA 14 April 1918. This image is one of a set of photographs of the original graves of some members of the 27th Battalion. The Battalion funded the purchase of the camera through its adjutant Captain (Capt) Southon for 5541 Pte G R Barrington to photograph the graves. The camera and negatives were then acquired by Major John L Treloar on behalf of the Australian War Museum, reimbursing costs for the camera to Capt Southon.
One of a set of 66 images requested by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Royden Chalmers. The 27th Battalion history 'The Blue and Brown Diamond' relates that 4210 Henry Matthew Skinner MM and battalion photographer Barrington left Mont-sur-Marchienne on 2 February 1919 to photograph scattered graves of soldiers of the unit. Skinner features in a number of the images photographed by Barrington. Copies were supplied to next of kin and near relations.