Historical information

Joseph William Cairnduff (1876-1929) was born in Hobart, Tasmania. He married Ann Walker in 1900. When he enlisted on 19 August 1914 he was given SERN 4. At the time he was living at 'Tyne', 96 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. He was 5'5", 38 years old and employed as a civil servant. He had served for 5 years in the Senior Cadets and 3 years in the Australian Signallers. He was given the rank of sergeant in the Divisional Signal Company 1 and embarked for Egypt from Melbourne on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October 1914. Surviving service on Gallipoli and the Western Front, he returned to Melbourne leaving on board HT 'Wiltshire', 12 November 1916. He was discharged medically unfit.
Joseph and Ann had a large family before he left for WW1:
Ann Mary b.1901; James William Cotter b. 1903; Mathew Norman Banks b. 1904; Doris Jean b.1906; Claude James b, 1908; Elsie Edna b. 1910; Clive Bruce b. 1912 and Gladys Janet b. 1914.
After his return he and Ann had more 2 daughters - Sylvia McLaren b. 1917 and Mavis Morley b. 1918, who commenced at Chatham Primary School in 1927 and 1928 respectively.
Joseph and Ann are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0492). Joseph's twin brother, James Banks Cairnduff (SERN 571) also served in the AIF and is also buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-NS-0003).

Physical description

A studio portrait of a soldier in AIF uniform and a peaked cap. He is short and is standing with one arm straight and the other bend. He is holding what looks like a whip in the hand of the bent arm.

Inscriptions & markings

In the hand of the donor: "1914" in ink in top RH corner.
The centre: "Joseph W. Cairnduff / Before leaving for overseas / in 1914, firstly to Egypt / then Gallipoli, then Western / Front."