| Accession Number | P04776.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 2436A Private (Pte) William Alfred Griffin, 52nd Battalion, framed by a ...
Description
Studio portrait of 2436A Private (Pte) William Alfred Griffin, 52nd Battalion, framed by a horseshoe symbol. Born and educated in Mackay, Qld, Pte Griffin enlisted in his home town in May 1916, and was posted to the 52nd Battalion. After completing his training at Enoggera Camp, Pte Griffin embarked for service overseas with the 5th Reinforcements, 52nd Battalion aboard HMAT Seang Choon (A49) from Brisbane on 19 September 1916. He underwent further training at Salisbury Plain, England, before being deployed to France in February 1917. Later transferring to the 47th Battalion, Pte Griffin saw active service in Armentieres and Baupaume before advancing with the battalion to the Ypres sector in Belgium. On 7 June 1917, during the first day of fighting in the Battle of Messines, Pte Griffin was killed in action, aged 31 years. Pte Griffin's younger brother, 519 Pte Harry Leslie Griffin, 49th Battalion, was also killed in action in the Ypres sector several months later on 26 September 1917, aged 22 years.