P03236.004 Accession Number: P03236.004

Description

Distributing Red Cross parcels to allied Prisoners Of War (POW) at Kriegsgefstammlager (camp) at Limburg am Lahn, Germany. Identified, on the far left is 3890 Private (Pte) Benjamin (Ben) Ross, 29th Battalion, from Tewantin, Queensland who enlisted at the age of 33 on 10 September 1915 and embarked for overseas on 31 October 1915 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was wounded with shrapnel in both thighs and captured at Armentieres, France, on 20 July 1916. He was held as a POW until he was transferred to Holland and then onto England, arriving on 20 January 1918. Pte Ross arrived back in Australia on 5 July 1918. Identified, second from the right on crutches is 88 Pte Bertram Edward Hoult, 26th Battalion, from Nanango, Queensland who has his left leg amputated below the knee. Pte Hoult enlisted at the age of 21 on 1 February 1915 and embarked for overseas on 24 May 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius. He was slightly wounded and captured at Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916 and while being held as a POW was required to work in an iron mine at Beirsdorf, Germany. An accident in the mine when a wagon came off the rails and crushed his foot caused a severe injury. After blood poisioning set in, his left leg was amputated. He was also transferred to Holland and then repatriated to England, arriving on 23 February 1918 and receiving further medical treatment. Pte Hoult arrived back in Australia on 15 December 1919. One of a series of over 400 photographs sent by Australian POWs in German camps to Miss M. E. Chomley, Secretary, Prisoners Department, Australian-British Red Cross Society, London. Original album housed in AWM Research Centre at RC00864, Album image number 13.