|
|
An enigmatic photograph album containing around 350 snapshots of various sizes, mainly relating to German East Africa in 1917, compiled by a (thus far unidentified) wingless second lieutenant of the Royal Flying Corps who appears in a number of photos. in German East, on board several ships (inc. hospital ships) & later in England in 1918.
The unknown photographer recorded a wide range of subjects in East Africa, then South Africa, & on board several hospital ships, with a notable quantity relating to medical installations & personnel. The RFC had a minor presence in German East but the role of the compiler eludes us. His records of medical units suggest an interest in that subject rather than just being a patient, but as a 2nd Lt. he is clearly too junior to be an appointed medical observer (or indeed any other sort of specialist).
#67033
|
![[HLMainPic]](booksThumbs/67033.jpg "Click on the left or right of the image for more images")
Contents include a very fine composite panorama, on a double page spread, of "Imperial Troops at Durban: Reception en route to East Africa," a selection of snapshots of KAR parades, MGs &c., German trenches in the bush & a gun from the Konigsberg that was used by the German forces on land; views in Dar-es-Salaam & other locations: buildings, natives, bush &c., various vehicles inc. MT Depots & parks, despatch riders &c., German native prisoners, German observation post; a good series of damaged railway lines/bridges, some destroyed by the Germans by piling up trains, & a German train bombed by Flt. Lt. Thompson, DSO, with a photo. of the pilot alongside that of the damage he inflicted. Various ships, notably the HMNZ Hospital Ship Maheno (the photographer evidently sailed in her from Dar to the Cape then to England, between Aug.-Nov. 1917), inc. medical staff & sisters, operating room, orderlys' concert party, lifeboat drill, various officers in groups &c. Then a series of "Airship conducting Hospital Ship into Bristol Channel" Nov. 1917, noting that the airship had sunk a submarine off Lundy Island. Other hospital related views inc. German Hospital (for tropical diseases) Dar-es-Salaam (buldings & operating room), opthalmic operation on board a hospital ship, views of the Addington Hospital & King's House Nursing Home in Durban (buildings inside & out, staff members, wards &c.). Finally, back in UK, Parc Wern Hospital in Wales & Shorncliffe Hospital. Also various views of ships, aircraft &c., & sundry other matter from military subjects to post-war winter sports. The conclusion could be that the owner/photographer was a patient of the various hospitals & nursing homes, but against that he appears in quite a number of photos. (some alongside wounded officers from East Africa) looking exceedingly fit & well, so he may have been a member of staff. In addition to photos. the album contains some news cuttings, examples of German East Africa/occupation currency, a German East Africa passport (1908), two skilfull caricatures (by one A.J.A. Leith) of senior British officers, menu cards from two hospital ships &c. Note: many of the photos. have captions identifying subject, but some are uncpationed. A few have been cut out & removed. Substantial album, 37x28cm, somewhat loose, overall sound but sp. strip lacking. Contains much of interest. See illustrations on our website.
£450
|
|