First World War Black and White Photograph of a New Guinea Family

c. 1914
Overview

Black and white photograph of a New Guinea family group standing in front of a grass thatched structure. The group includes 3 women, a teenage boy, a man holding a baby and 2 children seated in front.

Historical information

This series of black & white photographs was collected by Private Eric Sydney BANNISTER, regimental number 19. He joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) on the 11th August 1914, just a week after war was declared on Germany. The mission of the ANMEF was to destroy German radio stations and occupy German New Guinea and surrounding areas. The ANMEF secured military occupation on the 13th September 1914. The photographs of his deployment are of national significance and show one of Australia’s first military action in the First World War.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2018.3.12
Item type
Photographs
Material
Photo Paper
Width
107 mm
Height or length
82 mm
Weight
1 g
Inscriptions and markings

Handwritten in blue ink on back "In New Guinea / 1914".

Contextual information

This photograph shows a New Guinea family group standing in front of a grass thatched structure, and as inscribed on the back was taken in 1914.

Place made
Papua New Guinea
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Scientific or research significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Monday, 21 September, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Photograph showing a New Guinea family group.
Photograph showing a New Guinea family group.
Rear of photo showing inscription.
Rear of photo showing inscription.

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->