Caroline Simpson Collection

The Thorburn sisters and their niece Elgin Macgregor with Robert Barnet in uniform in the garden at Meroogal, Nowra, 1916 / Robert Barnet

Barnet, Robert James Macgregor, 1895-1916.

[1916]

1 photoprint : b & w ; 8.8 x 13.8 cm

historic gardens
flower beds
soldiers
family groups
knitting
Meroogal (Nowra, N.S.W.)
Thorburn family.
Thorburn, Annabella Jane (Belle), 1852-1930.
Thorburn, Georgina Isabella (Geo), 1854-1927.
Thorburn, Kennina Fanny McKenzie (Tot), 1865-1956.
Thorburn, Jessie Catherine (Kate), 1857-1945.
Barnet, Robert James Macgregor, 1895-1916.

June Wallace papers

Robert James Macgregor Barnet enlisted in the AIF on 4 January 1916, giving his occupation as surveyor's assistant. After basic training he sailed for the front, disembarking at Marseilles in May 1916. He died of wounds accidentally recieved in the field in August 1916. He was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery near Poperinge in Belgium.
This photograph, presumably taken shortly before he embarked, shows him surrounded by his great aunts Georgie Thorburn (left), Tot Thorburn (on his left), Kate Thorburn (next to Tot) and Belle Thorburn (seated). The younger woman on the right is Robert's aunt Elgin Macgregor.
Robert Barnet himself took the photograph using a small folding Kodak camera mounted on a tripod and fitted with an extension cord shutter release.

Estate of June Wallace (1917-2010)

Janet K. Ramsay The women of Meroogal Sydney, Historic Houses Trust of NSW, 1988, p.72.

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection ; June Wallace papers: JMW/22

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Picture

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