| Accession Number | P08531.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Dorset, Weymouth |
| Date made | c June - December 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 456 Driver (Dvr) Kenneth Arthur McWells, a motorcycle despatch rider with 4th ...
Description
Studio portrait of 456 Driver (Dvr) Kenneth Arthur McWells, a motorcycle despatch rider with 4th Division Ammunition Sub-Park. Formerly a farrier, Dvr McWells enlisted on 23 August 1914 and as a member of C Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, he embarked from Hobart, Tas, aboard HMAT Geelong (A2) on 20 October 1914. While the regiment fought on Gallipoli as infantry, McWells and his fellow farriers remained in Egypt to attend to the animals. Whilst serving in Egypt, (where he possibly developed an interest in motorcycles), he transferred to the Army Mechanical Transport Service at Gamrah In March 1916. He embarked for France in June 1916 and in August he was transferred to 4th Australian Division Ammunition Sub-Park as a despatch motorcycle rider. He sustained serious injuries after being knocked from his motorcycle in December 1916 and suffered broken fingers, head injuries and loss of skin from his nose and face. After a long recovery period in English and Australian hospitals he returned to Australia in December 1917 and was discharged from the army in March 1918. Dvr McWells' spiral leggings and leather cap are part of the National Collection held at the Australian War Memorial.