A property illustration by Margaret Picken Commissioned by a real estate agency for the purpose of advertising 8 Menin Road., Nunawading. This property is listed as having sold for $225,000 in 1997 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of a black and white line drawing of a single story weatherboard house with bullnose verandah covering the front porch. On the right is a driveway leading to a separate garage in the background. In the foreground is a picket fence enclosing the front garden. black and white line drawing of a single story weatherboard house, with a driveway on the right leading to a separate garage in the background. In the foreground is a front garden, with garden beds and central tree. There are two holepunch holes on just under the upper edge.8 Menin Road., Nunawading Margaret Picken - 97 Woodards - B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, real estate, nunawading

A property illustration by Margaret Picken Commissioned by a real estate agency for the purpose of advertising 3 Lynne St., Nunawading. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of a black and white line drawing of a single story weatherboard house with bullnose verandah over the front porch. In the foreground a driveway widens to lead to a gated separate garage in the background, and curve around to the front of the house.. In the left foreground corner is a font garden. There are two holepunch holes on just under the upper edge.24 Menin Road., Nunawading Picken © 2004 Realtorwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, real estate, nunawading

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the Menin Road near Birr cross roads. Snow and burnt out trees on both sides of the road One copy Z10postcard, postcard, ww1, menin road, birr, france

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the Menin Road from Hell Fire corner, Ypres. Burnt out trees on both sides of the road. A horse and cart with two men on cart coming towards the viewer. Lone figure on road in middle distance. One copy Y50postcard, postcard, ww1, france, ypres, menin road, hell fire corner.

snape collection

Brochure advertising 37 lots bounded by Mount Pleasant Road, Menin Road and Shady GroveBrochure advertising 37 lots bounded by Mount Pleasant Roaddooland & goodchild, mount pleasant road, nunawading, menin road, shady grove

September 1917, Menin Road, Ypres, Belgium. Digital copy of photograph from a personal album of Lieutenant General JJT Hobbs.talbit hobbs; menin road; ypres; aif; world war 1

Photographic details of Ypes sector, Belgium 27/9/1917. Hellfire corner.Photographic details of Ypes sector, Belgium 27/9/1917 Area known as Hellfire Corner.Belgium: Flanders, West-Vlaanderen, Ypres, Menin Road, Hellfire Corner, on the Menin Road in the Ypres sector of Belgium 27/9/1917. It was continually under observation and notorious for its danger The area was piled with wreckage of all kinds of transport. "A very sticky spot."An A4 sheet of paper with a black and white photograph of Hellfire Corner attached in the center. and a small note describing the scene.belgium, ypres sector, 1917, hellfire corner

Official War Photographs series published by Magpie Cigarettes.magpie cigarettes, official war photograph, war memorial funds, ypres, bangalore, menin road, armentieres, howitzer, kandahar, 4th division, camel corps, bois de crepy, villers brettoneux, albert cathedral, hellfire corner, flanders, messines, pozieres

129 page book with soft beige, brown and black cover depicting three soldiers at the front during World War One. The book includes many photographs and artwork of Australians at the French front from November 1917 until the end of the war. Photographers include Frank Hurley, E. Brooks, H.F. Baldwin and G.H. Wilkins. Artists include Crozier, W.L. King, Alan Lewis, Lothian, John Davis, S. Perks, I. Picking, Daryl Lindsay, Alf Saville, L.H. Howie, Stuart Shaw, P. Huthnance, Stiggo, S. Perks, C.H. Gould, Ted Canon, Bernie Bragg, S. Shaw, Will Dyson, An introduction is written by W. Birdwood, France, 28 September 1917. A number of pages have written notes on them by someone who had obviously been on the French Front. (These pages have been scanned and uploaded onto Victorian Collections. non-fictionPhotographic history of Australians during World War Onechatham family collection, chatham, world war one, world war 1, world war i, france, trenches, front line, birdwood, mark ridgeay, harold williamson, flanders, poziers, somme, becourt, mouquet farm, rupert whiteley, ypres, montauban, field cooker, gueudecourt, band, bapaume, bullecourt, h. murray, hindernburg wire, messines, howitzer, w. holmes. canon, ted canon, hill 60, gas masks, siege battery, menin road, ambulance, dressing station, glencorse wood, prisoners, pigeons, australian commonwealth military forces, sgs, chatham - holmes family archive

Red hard covered book of 1030 pages, with 423 illustrations and maps.world war, world war one, charles bean, aif, anzac, lagnicourt, messines, ypres, menin road, polygon wood, broodseinde ridge, passchendale, hill 60, hill 70, benafay wood, hindenburg line, hooge dump, butte, bapaume, bullecourt

Bruce and Pat Fisher celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sep 28th.Bruce and Pat Fisher celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sep 28th.fisher, bruce, menin road, forest hill

Ground we won near Hannebeke. The result of effective British artillery fire. Boche dead in foreground. Digital copy of photograph from a personal album of Lieutenant General JJT Hobbs.talbit hobbs; menin road; ypres; aif; world war 1, hannebeke; third ypres; passchendaele

Black framed - black and white photograph.Photograph inscribed " After the Battle of Menin Road". Shows wounded soldiers waiting to be taken to the dressing-station. This photograph part of set of three # 0332 - 0334 & 0335.

Beryl Cox b Yung was the daughter of Ernest Herbert Yung, son of George Edward Godlip and Clara Emma Yung (b Smith) of Happy Valley. Ernest was a returned soldier having fought in the Battle of Menin Road, Belgium, in WW1.Three black and white photographs of the Cox family of Nhill .1 Beryl Yung and Bridesmaid .2 Two children - possibly Beryl and her brother. Children of Ernest Herbert Yung .3 Wedding photo of Beryl and Jeff Cox.1 Half of a Post Card. Verso: Beryl + bridesmaid, married Geoff Cox. Elite Photos. no. 24213 .2 Verso: Jas Brown print Nhill .3 Half of a Post Card. Beryl + Jeff Coxyung family, happy valley, beryl cox, 1940's wedding, children 1920's, jeff cox, beryl yung

Photo is William Owen MUMFORD. He enlisted 17.10.1916 aged 19 years in the 24th Reinforcements 7th Batt AIF Regt No 7271. Embarked for England 19.2.1917, transferred to 23rd Batt. KIA 3.10.1917 at Menin Road, Ypres Belgium. Refer Honor Roll Cat No 1204.Photo, black / white, of a soldier in uniform with peak hat, studio garden scene as background.photograph, 7th

Presented by Lieutenant-General Sir JJ Talbot Hobbs, KCB, KCMG, VD, LLD at a parade held on the Esplanade, Perth, 22 October 1927. With the re-activation of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) following the Second World War, the 16th/28th Infantry Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia) was raised as a linked battalion in 1948 to carry on the identity and traditions of the pre-war 16th and 28th Battalions respectively. The King's and Regimental Colours formerly held by these two battalions were passed on to the new battalion who paraded them in rotation on ceremonial occasions. The above battalion became unlinked in March 1952 and 28th Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) became an independent battalion within its own right. The former colours of 28th Battalion were handed back at a parade at Northam Camp on 24 August 1952. Under major reorganisation of the CMF in 1960, all individual infantry battalions that existed at the time within each State were amalgamated to form State regiments, taking effect from 1 July 1960. Thus from that date the 11/44th, 16th and 28th Infantry Battalions were amalgamated to form The Royal Western Australia Regiment. In September 1960, at a ceremonial parade held at Northam Camp, the Colours carried by all former battalions were handed over for safe keeping by the new regiment. These former colours were subsequently laid up in the undercroft at the State War Memorial, King's Park on 29 November 1964. These were transferred to the Army Museum of WA in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary Colours Project. At the time of presentation this colour was a plain union flag with no central devices or other distinctions included on it. Following Military Board approval given in 1925 the centre circle and Crown were later added, in accordance with the approved design for a King's Colour. With the re-activation of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) following the Second World War, the 16th/28th Infantry Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia) was raised as a linked battalion in 1948 to carry on the identity and traditions of the pre-war 16th and 28th Battalions respectively. The King's and Regimental Colours formerly held by these two battalions were passed on to the new battalion who paraded them in rotation on ceremonial occasions. The above battalion became unlinked in March 1952 and 28th Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) became an independent battalion within its own right. The former colours of 28th Battalion were handed back at a parade at Northam Camp on 24 August 1952. With the accession of HM Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1953, all Colours that had originally been presented as King's Colours, and were still carried by units on the current Order of Battle, were automatically deemed to be Queen's Colours. Under major reorganisation of the CMF in 1960, all individual infantry battalions that existed at the time within each State were amalgamated to form State regiments, taking effect from 1 July 1960. Thus from that date the 11/44th, 16th and 28th Infantry Battalions were amalgamated to form The Royal Western Australia Regiment. In September 1960, at a ceremonial parade held at Northam Camp, the Colours carried by all former battalions were handed over for safe keeping by the new regiment. Battle Honours for the Second World War were promulgated under Australian Army Order 135/1961 and the 10 selected honours approved for emblazoning on the Queen's Colour were subsequently added in 1962 These former colours were subsequently laid up in the undercroft at the State War Memorial, King's Park on 29 November 1964. These were transferred to the Army Museum of WA in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary Colours Project. Dark green with gold fringe. In the centre the battalion colour patch of a white over blue diamond within a circle inscribed "TWENTY EIGHTH INFANTRY", the whole surrounded with a wreath of Australian wattle and surmounted by the Crown. In the upper canton the Arabic numeral "28". Battle Honours emblazoned on the colour:- POZIERES, BULLECOURT, YPRES 1917, MENIN ROAD, PASSCHENDAELE, AMIENS, MONT ST QUENTIN, HINDENBURG LINE, GALLIPOLI 1915, EGYPT 1915-16

Krithia, Quinn's Post Lone Pine, The Nek, Hill 971, SAri Bair, Chunuk Bair, Hill 60, Fromelles, Ypres, Messines, Menin Road, Broodseinde, Polygon Wood, Paschendalle, Strazeele, Pozieres, Moquet Farm, Bullecourt, Villes Bret, Hamel, Mont St. Quintin, Peronne, Hindenburg Line, Romani, Magdhaba, Rafa, Gaza, Beersheba, Jerusalem, Jericho, Es Salt, Amman, Megiddo, Sharon, Damascus.2 x On Guard with the Volunteer Defence Corpsvolunteer defence force in wwii, europe

Hellfire Corner was a junction in the Ypres Salient in the First World War. The main supplies for the British Army in this sector passed along the road from Ypres to Menin - the famous Menin Road. A section of the road was where the Sint-Jan-Zillebeke road and the Ypres-Roulers railway line crossed the road. The German Army positions overlooked this spot and their guns were registered upon it so that movement through this junction was perilous, making it the most dangerous place in the sector.hellfire corner, ypres salient, war, road, ww1, world war 1

Presented by the Honourable Lord Mayor JT Franklin, CMG, MLC, JP, at a parade held at Karrakatta Camp on 7 April 1929. Consecrated by the Chaplain General COL Riley, OBE, VD, DD. With the re-activation of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) following the Second World War, the 11th/44th Infantry Battalion (The City of Perth Regiment) was raised in 1948 as a linked battalion to carry on the identity and traditions of the pre-war 11th and 44th Battalions respectively. The King's and Regimental Colours formerly held by these two battalions were passed on to the new battalion who paraded them in rotation on ceremonial occasions. Under major reorganisation of the CMF in 1960, all individual infantry battalions that existed at the time within each State were amalgamated to form State regiments, taking effect from 1 July 1960. Thus from that date the 11/44th, 16th and 28th Infantry Battalions were amalgamated to form The Royal Western Australia Regiment. In September 1960, at a ceremonial parade held at Northam Camp, the Colours carried by all former battalions were handed over for safe keeping by the new regiment These former colours were subsequently laid up in the undercroft at the State War Memorial, King's Park on 29 November 1964. These were transferred to the Army Museum of WA in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary Colours Project. Dark green with gold fringe. In the centre the battalion colour patch of a brown over blue rectangle within a circle inscribed "ELEVENTH INFANTRY - PERTH REGIMENT". Beneath the circle a scroll inscribed with the regimental motto "VIGILANS". The whole surrounded with a wreath of Australian wattle and surmounted by the Crown. In the upper canton the Arabic numeral "11". Battle Honours emblazoned on the colour:- SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, SOMME 1916-18, POZIERES, BULLECOURT, YPRES 1917, MENIN ROAD, HAZEBROUCK, AMIENS, HINDENBURG LINE, LANDING AT ANZAC, DEFENCE OF ANZAC

Illustrated book with dust jacket. Book has a light brown cover with abbreviated title authors' and publisher's names embossed in silver on the spine. Dust jacket has background of shades of brown, off-white and grey. On the front is a photograph 'Australian infantrymen evacuate a wounded soldier on a stretcher to the beach during the landing at Balikpapan, Borneo, July 1945, along with the title printed in brown and navy, and the authors names printed in white. On the spine, the abbreviated title is printed in brown, authors names in black, and publishers name in white. On the back cover is a photograph of a soldier with arm in a sling (in an advanced dressing station on the Menin Road near Ypres, Belgium, 20 September 1917) Also on the back cover is a quote from Graham Edwards (Vietnam veteran, veteran's advocate and former MP) and a list of other contributors to the book. non-fictionWar has been an accelerator of the advances in medical treatment and surgery. As modern weaponry became more destructive, medicine developed techniques and procedures to deal with the volume and nature of battlefield casualties. This book is a collection of chapters by historians, medical practitioners and researchers, former and serving military medical officers, surgeons, nurses and veterans, who explore the impact of war, wounds and trauma through the historical record, reported narratives and personal experiences.war-medical aspects, medicine-military-history-australia, soldiers-wounds and injuries-treatment-australia, alfred nurses

A book of drawings and photos published about the trenches in Europe in 1917. Put together by the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces and published by a British publisher. Reproductions of official photographs and cartoons and sketches by members of the A.I.F. Photos show life in the trenches and the war zones, including Ypres, Hill 60, Hindenburg line, Bapaume, Menin Road, Zonnebeke and more. Plus conducting battle operations, Boche prisoners, ruined towns and churches, and the wounded awaiting transport. Most of the drawings are humorous. It is incomplete, the back cover is missing and the pages are only from Page 1 to 24 and 57 to 127. Information from the Australian War Memorial archives says it should have been 157 pages long. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.A record that photos from the trenches were published as a memento of Christmas in 1917, presumably for the troops.A book of black and white photos and drawings published for the troops in World War 1.Title page has 'JB McLean / Maffra' handwritten in blue ink.world war one, souvenir

Kenneth Darnton Watson was born at Bendigo on 24 May 1893 to George Darnton Watson and Adelaide Nora Holmes. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, being selected as School Captain in 1913 and a member of the Head of the River rowing team. After finishing school, he worked as a jackaroo on Wanganella Station and later at Mt. Widderin, Skipton, Victoria. When WW1 was declared, Kenneth enlisted and after initial training at Maribyrnong, Victoria he left Australia as 2nd Lieutenant with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, to disembark at Plymouth on July 10, 1916. He took part in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Ridge in 1917. For his efforts in Passchendaele Ridge on 17th December he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." In 1918 he took part in the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel and Amiens. He returned to Australia in November 1919 and was discharged on 20th January 1920. In 1922, Kenneth Darnton Watson came to Wodonga where he purchased de Kerilleau, consisting of 2,500 acres, from Mr George Gordon. The two storey brick homestead had been built by William Huon in 1870. On 30th May 1924, he married Phyllis Emily Lenore Austin and they had four children, Ian Darnton 1925, Robert Darnton 1926 Rosemary McPherson 1929 and Faith Holmes 1931. On the land he worked hard, building fences, cattle, sheep and horse yards, and farmed Corriedale sheep, Shorthorn cattle and horses. Mr Watson was an innovative farmer, introducing modern methods of top dressing at de Kerilleau by means of an aircraft. He was also a dedicated community man. He was a member of both Albury and Wodonga Show Committees, Murray Valley Development League, No.1 Region, Graziers' Association of Southern Riverina, Albury Legacy Club, Wodonga RSL, and Wodonga Turf Club including terms as President on several of these organisations. Kenneth was also a Warden of St. Luke's Church of England, Wodonga. Kenneth served as Wodonga Shire President from 1929 to 1931, and was again elected to Council from 1943 to 1945. A most respected and valued member of the local community, Kenneth Darnton Watson died on the 4th of October 1951, aged 58. Lenore Watson lived at de Kerilleau until her death on 15th June 1984. Both are buried in Wodonga.These images are significant because they record the service of a prominent member of the Wodonga community.A collection of black of white images of Kenneth Darnton Watson of Wodonga.kenneth darnton watson, watson family wodonga, wodonga community members

This cigarette case was owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson and carried into battle during World War I. Kenneth Darnton Watson was born at Bendigo on 24 May 1893 to George Darnton Watson and Adelaide Nora Holmes. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, being selected as School Captain in 1913 and a member of the Head of the River rowing team. After finishing school, he worked as a jackaroo on Wanganella Station and later at Mt. Widderin, Skipton, Victoria. When WWI was declared, Kenneth enlisted and after initial training at Maribyrnong, Victoria he left Australia as 2nd Lieutenant with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, to disembark at Plymouth on July 10, 1916. He took part in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Ridge in 1917. For his efforts in Passchendaele Ridge on 17th December he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." In 1918 he took part in the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel and Amiens. He returned to Australia in November 1919 and was discharged on 20th January 1920. In 1922, Kenneth Darnton Watson came to Wodonga where he purchased de Kerilleau, consisting of 2,500 acres, from Mr George Gordon. The two storey brick homestead had been built by William Huon in 1870. On 30th May 1924, he married Phyllis Emily Lenore Austin and they had four children, Ian Darnton 1925, Robert Darnton 1926 Rosemary McPherson 1929 and Faith Holmes 1931. On the land he worked hard, building fences, cattle, sheep and horse yards, and farmed Corriedale sheep, Shorthorn cattle and horses. Mr Watson was an innovative farmer, introducing modern methods of top dressing at de Kerilleau by means of an aircraft. He was also a dedicated community man. He was a member of both Albury and Wodonga Show Committees, Murray Valley Development League, No.1 Region, Graziers' Association of Southern Riverina, Albury Legacy Club, Wodonga RSL, and Wodonga Turf Club including terms as President on several of these organisations. Kenneth was also a Warden of St. Luke's Church of England, Wodonga. Kenneth served as Wodonga Shire President from 1929 to 1931, and was again elected to Council from 1943 to 1945. A most respected and valued member of the local community, Kenneth Darnton Watson died on the 4th of October 1951, aged 58. Lenore Watson lived at de Kerilleau until her death on 15th June 1984. Both are buried in Wodonga.This item is significant because it was owned by a decorated Australian serviceman and prominent member of the Wodonga community.A silver cigarette case owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson of Wodonga. The inside contains straps to hold the cigarettes in place. Both the front and back have been engraved.On front: KDW On back: 1919kenneth darnton watson, watson family wodonga, wodonga community members

This cup was awarded to Kenneth Darnton Watson when he was a boarder and competitive rower whilst completing his secondary education. Kenneth Darnton Watson was born at Bendigo on 24 May 1893 to George Darnton Watson and Adelaide Nora Holmes. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, being selected as School Captain in 1913 and a member of the Head of the River rowing team. After finishing school, he worked as a jackaroo on Wanganella Station and later at Mt. Widderin, Skipton, Victoria. When WW1 was declared, Kenneth enlisted and after initial training at Maribyrnong, Victoria he left Australia as 2nd Lieutenant with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, to disembark at Plymouth on July 10, 1916. He took part in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Ridge in 1917. For his efforts in Passchendaele Ridge on 17th December he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." In 1918 he took part in the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel and Amiens. He returned to Australia in November 1919 and was discharged on 20th January 1920. In 1922, Kenneth Darnton Watson came to Wodonga where he purchased de Kerilleau Homestead, consisting of 2,500 acres, from Mr George Gordon. The two storey brick homestead had been built by William Huon in 1870. On 30th May 1924, he married Phyllis Emily Lenore Austin and they had four children, Ian Darnton 1925, Robert Darnton 1926 Rosemary McPherson 1929 and Faith Holmes 1931. On the land Kenneth worked hard, building fences, cattle, sheep and horse yards, and farmed Corriedale sheep, Shorthorn cattle and horses. he was an innovative farmer, introducing modern methods of top dressing at de Kerilleau by means of an aircraft. He was also a dedicated community man. He was a member of both Albury and Wodonga Show Committees, Murray Valley Development League, No.1 Region, Graziers' Association of Southern Riverina, Albury Legacy Club, Wodonga RSL, and Wodonga Turf Club including terms as President on several of these organisations. Kenneth was also a Warden of St. Luke's Church of England, Wodonga. Kenneth served as Wodonga Shire President from 1929 to 1931, and was again elected to Council from 1943 to 1945. A most respected and valued member of the local community, Kenneth Darnton Watson died on the 4th of October 1951, aged 58. Lenore Watson lived at de Kerilleau until her death on 15th June 1984. Both are buried in Wodonga.These images are significant because they record the service of a prominent member of the Wodonga community.A silver mug awarded to K D Watson as a rowing trophy in April 1909. It features the shield of Melbourne Church of England Grammar School (M.C.E.G.S.), as well as his name and the event for which it was awarded.View 1: M.C.E.G.S. April 1909 Regatta View 2: Crest of MECEGS featuring motto "Ora et Labora" View 3: BOARDERS FOUR K. D. WATSON 3kenneth darnton watson, watson family wodonga, wodonga community members

'Menin Gate at midnight' was painted by Will Longstaff to commemorate those soldiers with no marked graves on the Western Front during the First World War; also known as 'Ghosts of Menin Gate'. Longstaff attended a ceremony dedicating the Menin Gate memorial to the soldiers of the British empire forces, just outside the town of Ypres, Belgium, on 24 July 1927. The memorial was dedicated to the 350,000 men of the British and Empire forces who had died in battles around Ypres, and bears the names of 55,000 men with no known grave, over 6,000 of whom were Australians. Longstaff was profoundly moved by what he witnessed and that night, unable to sleep, Longstaff returned to Menin Road and later claimed to have had a vision of spirits of the dead rising out of the soil around him. On returning to his studio in London he painted 'Menin Gate at midnight' in a single session. Today 'Menin Gate at midnight' has achieved the status of a national icon. The painting retains its ability to provoke an emotional response and to communicate the scale of the loss of life and the devastation of war. However as people now have a very different understanding of war, the painting serves a slightly different function. Whereas in the past people responded to the painting as it related to the loss of a loved one and their own personal grief, now the painting communicates the loss experienced by a whole generation. The vast number of those who were killed, and the immensity of the damage wrought during the First World War, requires that those who sacrificed their lives should not be forgotten. Longstaff used well-known motifs to trigger emotion. His scarlet poppies are flowers that could be found in the Flanders fields, but they also carry the traditional connotations of shed blood and remembrance; they represent a floral blanket covering the bloodied bodies of unknown soldiers; at the same time, like the paper poppies worn on Remembrance Day, they are a tribute from the living to the dead. The portrayal of the steel-helmeted soldiers rising from the cornfields extends the range of visual emblems used by Longstaff: the plentiful harvest; the harvest of men; the steel-helmeted crosses covering the graves of many soldiers; and the helmeted bayonets raised in cheer and victory.ww1, menin gate, wark vc club