| Accession Number | B00991 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Glass original half plate negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Palestine, North Palestine, Lake Tiberias, Semakh |
| Date made | February 1919 |
| Conflict |
Period 1910-1919 First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Informal portrait of Major (Maj) John McClelland Boyd MC, 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, ...
Description
Informal portrait of Major (Maj) John McClelland Boyd MC, 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, sitting on a rock. A native of Ballymena, Ireland, Maj Boyd was a salesman from Longreach, Qld prior to enlistment and embarked with the rank of Acting Sergeant with B Squadron from Sydney on HMAT Persic on21 December 1914. Whilst serving at Gallipoli, he was wounded in action and evacuated to Malta. Following his recovery he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. Later as a Lieutenant he was Mentioned in Despatches. Subsequently promoted to Major, he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy were endeavouring to occupy some high ground overlooking three of our posts, he observed for and directed the fire of our guns against them. This caused the enemy to withdraw, and he then sent out a party to keep touch, covering their advance by accurate fire. Throughout the operation he showed coolness and initiative." He was later Mentioned in Despatches for the second time and returned to Australia on 27 June 1919.