Photographs, letters and postcards show us that the people away at war turned their minds to home and families whenever possible.
Many soldiers going off to the war had a photograph taken of themselves in uniform, often a studio portrait taken at a professional studio. These images were treasured by families as keepsakes and copies often shared with friends and their past school. A fine example is found in our Heritage Collection of Theodore D’Aveline Melhuish (Life 1897-1969).
WW1 Portrait of Theodore D Melhuish.
Theodore entered Caulfield Grammar School in 1907 and in his final year was a Prefect and 1914 School Captain. He studied Science at Melbourne University until enlistment on 2 February 1917 and served in the Australian Flying Corp as an Air mechanic 2nd class, embarking on HMST Anchises A68 in August 1917. Theodore returned to Australia on 28 February 1919 and resumed Third year Science at Melbourne University and met again his school mates especially ‘Snowy’, Arthur L Coulson (1911-14).
Mr Melhuish worked as an Industrial Chemist and married in 1924. He was Managing Director of Elliotts and Australian Drug company in 1959 and later, Managing Director of DHA Chemicals until his retirement. He died in 1969.
Prefects 1914.
Back Row: J Gardiner, MC (Military Cross), (1914-18 KIA WW1), A B Wilson (1908-15); A R D Opie (1908-14); R M Buntine (1903-14).
Front Row: G G H Evans (1914-18 KIA WW1), T D Melhuish (1907-1914); A L Coulson (1911-1913)
