| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Peronne |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART02668 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | sheet: 44 x 54.6 cm; image: 44 x 54.6 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | crayon and pencil on paper |
| Maker |
King, W L |
| Place made | France: Picardie, Somme, Peronne |
| Date made | 1919 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Peronne barracks
Description
The front of the wrecked Cavalry Barracks, in which Corps troops were situated, when it was used as a depot of the Australian Ordnance Corps. Prior to the Australians capturing Peronne, the Germans used this building as a large military school. When it was taken over by the Australian Army Ordnance Corps, they found very large quantities of German material, a number of grenades and shells and chemical appliances. Before evacuating the Germans planned its destruction. Large holes were blown through the supporting walls by shells electrically exploded, and buried mines which the Germans left to complete the scheme. The plan did not succeed completely; one mine was discovered and removed by the 1st Tunnelling Company. The front wall and a large number of rooms survived, but the rear wall was absolutely demolished.
Wilfred Lewis King served with the 60th Battalion during the First World War. In 1918 he was transferred to the 5th Australian Division Concert Party.