Object:

Portrait of James Frederick Carnes

Title / object name  Portrait of James Frederick Carnes
Maker  Role  Date  
Berry & Co  photographer  1918  
Materials  photographic gelatin, sheet glass, silver, photographic plates
Dimensions
180 (Height) x 163 (Length)
Format  half plate (1/2)
Classification  studio portraits, portraits, black-and-white negatives, gelatin dry plate negatives
Registration Number  B.046148
Credit Line
Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds

This studio portrait shows Private James Frederick Carnes with an unknown woman (seated). The photo was taken at the Berry Co. photographers in Wellington, a well-known studio established in 1897 by William Berry. Many servicemen had their photos taken while on leave or before they left to fight in World War One.

James was 23 years old when he attested for service in December 1916. At this time he worked as a laborer at N.Z. Refrigerating Co. in Wanganui, but he was originally from Australia.

He embarked on the Tahiti from Wellington, 10 July 1918 as part of the 40th Reinforcements, E Company. While on the journey to Europe James became sick and died of influenza, he was buried at sea en route, 4 September 1918. The Tahiti had the highest number of influenza cases of any New Zealand ship during World War One. Of the 1217 people on board 90% became sick with influenza, 68 people died on the ship and a further 9 died after arriving in England.


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