Title / object name Portrait of William Anderson
| Maker | Role | Date |
| Berry & Co | photography studio | circa 1918 |
Medium Summary black and white glass negative
Materials photographic gelatin, silver, sheet glass, photographic plates
| Dimensions |
| 180 (Height) x 163 (Length) |
Format half plate (1/2)
Classification black-and-white negatives, gelatin dry plate negatives, portraits
Technique black-and-white photography
Registration Number B.046696
Credit LinePurchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds
This studio portrait shows Rifleman William Anderson, service number 80719, with a woman standing behind him, probably his mother Mrs. Marion Anderson. 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.
William was 20 years old when he attested for service in January 1918. At this time he lived in Westport and was a purser for the Union Steam Ship Company. His mother, Marion and father lived in Yale Road, Wellington. He had a brother George and sister Janet.
He embarked on the Tofua from Wellington, 22 May 1918 as part of the 42nd Reinforcements, C Company. Two months later while training at the Cannock Chase army camp in Staffordshire, England he died of pneumonia on 31 October 1918. William is buried at the Cannock Chase War Cemetery.
The identification of people in the Berry Co. photos is an ongoing project. If you have any information about the soldiers or other people in this collection we would like to hear from you. Please contact a history curator through our enquiry centre 04 381 7000 or mail@tepapa.govt.nz