| Accession Number | P07670.007 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film copy negative |
| Maker |
Nenke, Robert Willie |
| Place made | France: Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Pozieres Area, Pozieres, Sausage Valley |
| Date made | c 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
"Sausage Valley". This inscription was recorded on the back of the original photograph by the ...
Description
"Sausage Valley". This inscription was recorded on the back of the original photograph by the photographer. To this inscription 3120 Sergeant Norman Max Pontin has added in his own hand; " Was knocked in this valley". Sgt Pontin was referring to an incident on 5 August 1916 when he was seriously wounded with a gun shot wound to the shoulder. The following is also recorded on the back of the original photograph in the hand of his twin brother; "Shot within one inch of heart bullet came out shoulder blade". This photograph is one of a series taken by Cpl Nenke, or with his camera. Cpl Nenke was a despatch rider in the 1st Divisional Signal Company (1DSC). Soldier photographers taking photographs in active service areas in France or Belgium are rare, as discovery usually resulted in Court Martial. It is considered that this photograph was among the personal effects of 3120 Sergeant N M Pontin, who served in the 14th and 46th Battalion, and repatriated to his next-of-kin in Australia, after he was killed in action on 11 April 1917. Cpl Nenke was also killed in action on 10 August 1918.