An Exhibition of Images and Artefacts on now at the State Library of NSW.
So naturally I had to go and look at the images of the diggers that were found on glass plates stored for the last hundred years in a chest in the attic of a farm of photographers Louis and Antoinette Thuillier in Vignacourt.
I wanted to look into the faces of the diggers, to try to understand something about what it is that has me so intrigued: to try to read the thoughts and emotions that must have been a bit hard to disguise as their photographs were taken.
On one wall is a replica of the canvas backdrop set up against a wall, and some items of clothing that visitors are encouraged to try on - and be photographed in front of the backdrop.
I am not usually one to do the whole tourist snap thing, nor are my family. But I really wanted to see how the clothing might affect us. So the young one succumbed to my pleading despite his better judgement. His dad and I didn't need any convincing. I was stunned to look back at these images today. My boy could easily be mistaken for one of those very young larrikins fighting for their families, for their country, for the Empire. Some were likely the same age as my boy.
I can't help but think of him disappearing on an adventure to a war zone - it's not a positive thought at all. What an emptiness so many mums and dads must have felt mingle in with the pride and respect. It was a sombre exhibition.
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/exhibitions/2014/remember_me/index.html