Historical information

This portrait, taken at Ainar Studios during the First World War, captures a soldier stationed at Broadmeadows Camp, Victoria—one of Australia’s primary military training facilities during the early 20th century. Broadmeadows Camp played a pivotal role in preparing thousands of recruits for overseas service, particularly during WWI. Studios like Ainar and Kitchener, often operating near or within the camp, provided soldiers with the opportunity to send formal portraits home to loved ones—a cherished tradition that blended personal memory with national service. These images now serve as poignant historical records of Australia’s wartime experience and the individuals who served.

Significance

This portrait of a soldier from Broadmeadows Camp, captured by Ainar Studios during the First World War, holds enduring historical and cultural value. It represents a deeply personal yet widely shared wartime ritual—soldiers commissioning studio portraits before deployment, often to send home as keepsakes. Broadmeadows Camp was a major training ground for Australian troops, and such images document not only individual service but also the broader national experience of mobilisation and sacrifice. The photograph is significant for its ability to humanise the war effort, offering a visual connection to the identities, emotions, and stories of those who served. As both a personal memento and a historical artifact, it contributes to our understanding of Australia’s military and social history during the early 20th century.

Physical description

Black and white portrait pasted onto cardboard. Portrait of a soldier from Broadmeadows Camp.

Inscriptions & markings

Below Photo Front: The Kitchener Studio/Broadmeadows Camp/Under Vice-Regal Patronage/The Ainair Studio/571 Burwood Road/Auburn, Victoria
Back: Soldier posing for Portrait/from Broadmeadows/Army Camp/Taken/Ainair Studio