Description on the back of the image: "Our little 'ut at Lemnos". Peter Graham in typical attitude especially as regards his hands. The top bunk I sfully 7ft. From the ground. P. occupied it. Notice gum boots on right. These were always a source of amusement but were extremely useful. Peter leaves us today for duty at an "infectious" hospital. Have seen numerous 5th F.A. Brigade people Am to go & see them at Tel El Kabir on Monday. GBL.

The Omnipresent Arnotts Biscuits

Gordon Bradley Lowe graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master of Surgery in 1915 [Ref 1] and promptly enlisted as a Major in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) on 6 September 1915. He left Australia on 11 October 1915 on the SS Nestor and went on to reinforce the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Gallipoli and serve in the 3rd Australian General Hospital (AGH) and 5th Australian Field Ambulance (AFA) in Egypt, Greece and France. Although wounded in the neck in the Noreuil Valley in France on 13 April 1917, he remained on duty and returned to Australia aboard the SS Runic on 6 January 1922. Lowe noted in his University of Sydney War Service Record that, "Prior to going overseas, I was mobilised with The S.U. Scouts on Guard duty at La Perouse Cable Station and then at The Fortress, South Head. Subsequently I did an Infantry (the 18th) School of Instruction at The Warren, Marrickville". [Ref 2].

This image is just one of approximately 470 photographs taken by or given to Lowe during World War I (WWI), most with handwritten captions that give us a unique insight into life during WWI in the countries Lowe was stationed at, such as, "I. Promenade des Anglais Nice 23.2.18 It was on my first morning that this was snapped. The weather was rather dull & sky near east. There seems to be some slight mustache about my face. GBL." [Ref 3], "II. Promenade des Anglais Nice 30.2.18 With a bit of a rough Canadian who was no exception to the rule, Katie Bi[?] Although she is perhaps not an "oil painting" she would nevertheless make an excellent holiday companion. My last morning in Ang[lais] after a visit to the flower market. GBL." [Ref 4], "Rod-el-Farag, Cairo. Grain market like our Sussex St." [Ref 5], "On the left Heliopolis House with Tower. White screen where pictures are shown and one sits on the terrace of the House imbibing coffee alcoholics etc" [Ref 6], and "Day room kitchen 3rd AGH, Lemnos The omnipresent Arnotts Biscuits". [Ref 7].

This item is part of the University Archives' 70 Years, 70 Stories series, created to celebrate our 70th birthday on 3 May 2024. To discover more stories, explore the 70 Years, 70 Stories collection.

Ref 1: University of Sydney Graduates 1915 (1915), pp. 4-5, [REF-00052657]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 2: Lowe, Gordon Bradley (No Date), [REF-00015774]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 3: Gordon Bradley Lowe Walking Along Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France (23/02/1918), [REF-00003034]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 4: Gordon Bradley Lowe and a Woman Walking Along Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France (Feb 1918), [REF-00003035]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 5: Grain Market at Rod El Farag, Egypt (Circa 1910s), [REF-00018945]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 6: Heliopolis House, Egypt (Circa 1910s), [REF-00018878]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 7: Outdoor Kitchen on Lemnos, Greece (Circa 1910s), [REF-00018676]. University of Sydney Archives.