On the 28th of October, 1916, Australians were asked to vote YES or NO. In favour of military conscription or against it.

‘The New Southern Cross’ by Claude Marquet

Strike-breakers at Taronga Zoo viewing the monkey enclosure, 1917. Their tents can be seen in the trees behind them. Stanley R. Beer Studio (National Library of Australia)

Sarah Laing’s letter asking after her son (AWM R149302)

Photographs of strike-breakers at Taronga Zoo and a digitised image of a letter written by a Mosman mother enquiring about her son, give us a glimpse into Australian society in the early 20^th century.

The Battle of Fromelles has been described as the worst 24 hrs in Australian military history..

Imperial German Army sign board, taken from the roadside leading into Fromelles, opposite the trenches occupied by the 5th Australian Division. Image: AWM RELAWM07383

Schoolmaster, poet and linguist Patrick Pearce (Pádraig Anraí Mac Piarais) stood on the steps of the General Post Office in Dublin, on the 24th April 1916, and read out an impassioned plea and proclamation.

IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN. In the name of God and the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us summons our children to her flag and strikes for her freedom..

As he did so strategic points around the city were occupied by the Irish volunteers, and the Irish Citizen Army led by James Connolly (Séamas Ó Conghaile).

Battle of Mont St. Quentin, Fred Leist 1918 (AGNSW)

Among the many residents encountered in the research for this latest exhibition – Faces in the Crowd – were some local official war artists including the Bulletin artists Henry Fullwood and Frederick Leist.

Fullwood lived in Mosman for a year in the late 19th century and Leist lived in Mosman from the 1920s.