Studio portrait of four soldiers from South Australia. Standing at the rear on the left is 2690 ...

Studio portrait of four soldiers from South Australia. Standing at the rear on the left is 2690 Private (Pte) Charles James Shea, 50th Battalion from Crystal Brook, South Australia. A 21 year old engine cleaner prior to enlisting on 26 April 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 8th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion from Adelaide on 2 September 1915 aboard HMAT Anchises. He joined the 10th Battalion at Gallipoli in November 1915 and after returning to Egypt, transferred to the 50th Battalion in February 1916. After arriving in France in June 1916, he continued to serve with the 50th Battalion until he was killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium on 26 September 1917 and buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery at Passchendaele. Standing at the rear in the centre is his older brother, 3202 Lance Corporal Cornelius Patrick Shea also of the 50th Battalion. A 24 year old fireman prior to enlisting on 29 June 1915, he embarked for overseas with his brother and also served at Gallipoli, transferred to the 50th Battalion and went with them to France. Following promotion to Lance Corporal on 16 July 1916, he was killed in action at Noreuil, France on 2 April 1917 and buried in the Noreuil Australian Cemetery, France. Standing at the rear on the right is 3188 Pte Sydney George Mortimore, 50th Battalion from Bowden, South Australia. A 20 year old locomotive cleaner prior to enlisting on 30 June 1915, he embarked for overseas with the Shea brothers and also served at Gallipoli, transferred to the 50th Battalion and went with them to France. Following promotion to Corporal on 18 August 1916, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DSM) for bravery on the night of 3/4 September 1916 at Mouquet Farm, France. He was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 14 December 1916 and was then wounded in action at Villers-Bretonneux, France on 25 April 1918. After being evacuated to England for medical treatment, he arrived back in Australia on 5 January 1919. Seated in the front is 3124 Pte Anthony James Lawrence Malone, 10th Battalion from Gilberton, South Australia. A 25 year old driver prior to enlisting on 18 June 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 10th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion from Adelaide on 14 September 1915 aboard HMAT Ballarat. After joining the 10th Battalion at Gallipoli in November 1915, he was evacuated with them to Egypt in December and then went with them to France in April 1916. Pte Malone was killed in action at Pernois, France on 25 July 1918 and is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France with others who have no known grave. [See image P09291.069.]