Description
Object description
Photographs relating to the service of Charles Arnold Wright as a sapper with the 31st Indian Signals Company, Royal Engineers, in Mesopotamia and India between 1916 and 1920. Most numerous are photographs taken in Baghdad, these cover Bank Street, Exchange Street, Main Street, New Street (including GOC's House, GHQ Main Office, Cinema), Stanley Maude Avenue (including local labourers improving the road); also photographs of prominent buildings and landmarks (US Embassy, Sporting Club, Central Telegraph Office, Central Theatre, Central YMCA, 61st Indian General Hospital, the Maude Bridge, South Gate to city used as Army Service Corps MT Depot, entrance to the city's citadel, clock tower, grave of Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, tomb of General Colmar von der Goltz, interiors of the Armenian, Chaldean, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, exterior view of various mosques). There are also a number of views taken over the city's rooftops from the clock tower. The Baghdad fire service is also covered with views of the station building, staff and a fire engine. Other photographs show a race meeting held on 8 May 1919 and peace celebrations held in No.41 Billet Yard on 19 July 1919.
Other places photographed by Wright include Basra (Ashar Creek); Baiji (Armistice thanks-giving service, church parade, railway construction, aero-engined boats HELEN and MABLE used by one of the Corps commanders); Hillah (the old Mahaila bridge, the Brooking Bridge, town entrance gate); Samarra (31st Indian Signals Company cookhouse); Ramadi (town square); Kadhimain (a large mosque, Arab cemetery); Kirkuk (the fort and general views of the town); Mosul (Main Street, billet used by the Political Service, main Police station, jail and Bazaar); Tekrit (general views of town and local people, British armoured cars). Archaeological and architectural sites photographed are Babylon, the Ctesiphon Arch, Ezra's Tomb and Nineveh.
Of military interest are photographs relating to members of 31st Indian Signals Company (group and individual portraits - named individuals are Sergeant Major H G Kinnard, Jack Ward, Charlie Misop and Charles Wright - also members of the last demob party and of No.3 sub section HQ); the building of a cookhouse; Turkish prisoners of war building railway lines; pack camel and river transport; scenes following the Battle of Sherqat (23 - 30 October 1918) showing Turkish prisoners and the burnt out wreck of the gunboat KALIFA.
From Charles Wright's time in India are photographs of Wellington Barracks (including the Church of England Institute and St John's Church) and the nearby hill station of Coonoor in the Nilgiri Hills. Also views of the garrison church, depot and prison at Poona; views of Bangalore (including the museum) and the Murree Hills.
The collection also includes eight negatives in their original packet; a copy of the booklet 'The Land of the Two Rivers' produced by the Army YMCA of India for military personnel serving in Mesopotamia; A copy of Army Form Z. 21 for Charles Wright; ticket for the Baghdad - Kadhimain Tramway Company and a press cutting relating to the wedding of Captain J Donald Fraser to Miss Hilda Marion Cowan in Dublin (not dated).
Physical description
Black and white prints of varying sizes, many with annotation handwritten in pencil on the reverse. Also a paper packet 'Paget Prize Plates' containing eight film negatives, one booklet titled 'The Land of the Two Rivers', a tramway ticket, press cutting and paper certificate (Army Form Z. 21).