The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Depicts soldiers from the British Empire engaged in battle with the followers of the Mahdi. The soldiers are behind wooden boxes with a small number of Mahdi attacking and some have been killed or injured by the troops. A British soldier standing on the wooden crates appears to be the focal point for the work, with his rifle raised and a Mahdi grabbing at him and attempting to spear him. Between March- June 1885, the NSW Contingent served in Sudan, Africa. The contingent, an infantry battalion of 522 men and 24 officers and an artillery battery of 212 men, was ready to sail on 3 March 1885. It left Sydney amid much public fanfare, generated in part by the holiday declared to farewell the troops; the send-off was described as the most festive occasion in the colony's history. The NSW contingent anchored at Suakin, Sudan's Red Sea port, on 29 March 1885 and were attached to a brigade composed of Scots, Grenadiers and Coldstream Guards. Shortly after their arrival they marched as part of a large "square" formation -on this occasion made up of 10,000 men - for Tamai, a village some 30 kilometres inland. Not having participated in any battles, Australian casualties were few: those who died fell to disease rather than enemy action. By May 1885 the British government had decided to abandon the campaign and left only a garrison in Suakin. The Australian contingent sailed for home on 17 May 1885, arriving back in Sydney on 19 June. It was generally agreed at the time that, no matter how small the military significance of the Australian contribution to the War in Sudan, it marked an important stage in the development of colonial self-confidence and was proof of the enduring link with Britain.
A vibrant image depicting the arrival of the New South Wales Contingent at Suakin in Sudan. While the men arrived wearing the red coats, the British issued the troops with khaki uniforms on their firs
This map of the Soudan and surrounding countries, published as a supplement to the Illustrated London News in 1884, includes inset portraits of General Gordon (Governor-General of Sudan) and Colonel S
Depicts Lord Wolseley and mounted British infantry bidding farewell to the New South Wales Contingent (infantry) as they prepare to return to Australia following their contribution to the War in Sudan
Depicts two scenes of life in the Sudan during the War in Sudan, 1885, which appeared in the 'Illustrated Sydney News'. Between March- June 1885, the NSW Contingent served in Sudan, Africa. The contin
Depicts men of NSW Contingent crossing mountains inland from Suakin. A mounted soldier can be seen in the lower right, while a train of soldiers, carts and horses can be seen in the distance. The colo
Depicts Lord Wolseley and mounted British infantry farewelling the New South Wales contingent as they prepare to return to Australia following their contribution to fighting the War in Sudan (1885). B