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An important archive of mainly annotated photographs taken by W.…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
9-May-2011
Lot No.
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Description:
An important archive of mainly annotated photographs taken by W.A. Bennett, an Officer of the Auckland mounted Rifles. Many images are initialled verso as well as annotations. Apart from a few recent pencil notations most are in the same old hand, presumably that of Bennett. (76 images in total), they include 1917 Palestine photographs of the New Zealand mounted Rifles, including images of the Co, Colonel Mackesy, cmG, CBE, Dso, mid, the eventual Co Lt. Colonel McCarroll and their staff, presumably including Bennett, as well as Mackesy in the desert, there are extremely rare images of New Zealand motorcyclists in World War I and rare images of Beersheba, Turkish and German prisoners, sightseeing, NZMR in Jordan, Beersheba, gas mask drill in the desert, etc. Some photos including one of the motorcyclists also shows camels, suggesting perhaps an attachment to either the camel Corps or camel Transport Corps. Towards the end of the war the Auckland mounted Rifles took possession of a number of motorcycles. It was seen that this was 'Modern Warfare', very few images survive so the range offered here is likely unique and certainly of Museum quality. 13/292 William Atherton Bennett embarked with the Auckland mounted Rifles as a Trooper with the main body on 16 October 1914. He appears to have served at Gallipoli and then been commissioned into his regiment in Palestine. He was wounded at Beersheba 31 October 1917. His father also enlisted - 13/2980 William Atherton Bennett, who embarked as a Major with a Squadron, Auckland mounted Rifles on 29 February 1916. It is unclear which officer owned and took these photos and it May well be that the images offered is a family combination of both the father and the Son. Both lived together at Papamoa, Bay of Plenty where they farmed. Bennett Senior however, was the Training Regts. Co until taken off strength on 19 August 1917. Bennett Junior was unusually discharged in Egypt 20 August 1919.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Militaria & Weapons: Ephemera