Some of the shell-shocked soldiers to whom Preston taught basket-weaving at the Seale-Hayne Neurological Military Hospital, Devonshire (UK). Preston is just out of camera to the right, but her black Scottish Terrier ‘Little Jim” can be seen sitting next to her in the bottom right-hand corner.
After the 1914-18 war Margaret Preston lived, and created artworks in Mosman.
During the war, Margaret and friend Gladys Reynell got the chance to help rebuild shattered lives.
Nutcote city limits: 100 years of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Gibbs, May, 1877-1969 Are we downhearted? [ca. 1915] 1 print : hand coloured ; 20 × 14.6 cm. Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136518753/view
‘Emden’s Last Battle’ by Claus Bergen [1885-1964].Source 1914: Two sides of the EMDEN-SYDNEY fight in Art [II]. by Horatio J. Kookaburra
B&W Photograph ‘Unveiling the Emden Gun: Captain Glossop adressing the crowd.’
100 years ago, today, Australia’s 1st Naval victory was commemorated.
On Friday 21st December, 1917, SMS Emden’s gun was unveiled at Hyde Park, Sydney. The event was attended by thousands. The Sydney Morning Herald reported “The scene was exceedingly picturesque, with the brilliant sunshine and the gay colours which flew above the enclosure, where many leading citizens gathered.”
After leaving SMS Emden ‘wrecked and done for’ in 1914, HMAS Sydney was involved in some interesting engagements whilst serving with the British North Sea fleet.
Emden’s survivors were sent (along with other German ‘enemy aliens’) to internment camps for the duration of the war.
Holsworthy Internment Camp, c.1915. Dubotzki collection, Germany
Children’s toys and model Fokker ‘Eindecker’, made by internees in 1916 and 1917, Trial Bay Gaol collection. Photograph by Stephen Thompson