Title / object name Portrait of Harry Spire Powell
| Maker | Role | Date |
| Berry & Co | photography studio | Circa 1917 |
Medium Summary black and white glass negative
Materials photographic gelatin, sheet glass, silver, photographic plates
| Dimensions |
| 180 (Height) x 163 (Length) |
Format half plate (1/2)
Classification portraits, black-and-white negatives, gelatin dry plate negatives
Technique black-and-white photography
Registration Number B.047083
Credit LinePurchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds
This studio portrait shows Bombardier Harry Spire Powell, service number 50519, dressed in World War One military uniform including a bandolier over his left shoulder. 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.
Harry was a farmer in Reikorangi near Waikanae prior to the war, but he was born in Wiltshire, England.
He departed from Wellington on 13 August 1917 on the Mokoia, in the New Zealand Field Artillery, 29th Reinforcements. On the journey overseas Harry was injured while on parade. He slipped and twisted his knee causing an internal derangement to the left knee. He spend three days in hospital and was left with an injury that meant he was unable to walk without pain. Harry was eventually discharged because of his knee injury after spending several months in training in England. He returned to New Zealand in November 1918.
Harry died in Levin on the 12 February 1955.
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