Historical information

John Raymond (Ray) Blight enlisted on 19 July 1915. He was an electrical engineer, having studied at the Ballarat School of Mines.
On 23 June 1916 Ray Blight disembarked at Marseilles. 3 February 1917 he was hospitalised with scabies.
Ray Blight's next of kin was his mother, Mary Jane Blight of 116 Lyons Street South, Ballarat.

James Leslie Sim enlisted on 13 July 1915, at which time he was an accountant. His next of kin was his father, Charles Robert Sim of Drummond Street North, Ballarat.
On 23 June 1916 James Sim disembarked at Marseilles. A year later he received leave to the United Kingdom returning to France 2 weeks later. He received leave to Paris from 18 march 1918 to 4 April 1918. Sim was wounded on 1 June 1918.

Physical description

Two World War One soldiers in military uniform pose for a photograph. The two men are Lance Corporal Ray Blight and Lance Corporal Sim (both of Ballarat). On the back is a personal letter to Ballarat School of Mines Lecturer Daniel Walker.
The pin holes in the postcard suggest it was displayed at the Ballarat School of Mines.

Inscriptions & markings

.1) Verso: " France 25/8/16. Dear Mr Walker, Just a line in sending a photo we had taken in a small photographers, in a town within range of the evenings guns, the other boy is L/Corp Sim, one time an old SMB and son of R. Sim, of Ballarat, we are wearing steel helmuts weight about 4lbs they are protection against shrapnel and steel splinters. We are doing well here, Les Coulter was wounded just near here but did not see him. Best wishes to all. Ray Blight.


.2) Verso: Sitting, Ray Blight, from Ballarat, you will know his sister, she helps Miss Brazena a lot with the parcels. Standing, Les Sim, of Sim and co. wood merchants, Ballarat.