Album of the trooping duties of TSS Demosthenes (1911)
This album was compiled by the ship’s surgeon (as yet unidentified) serving on TSS Demosthenes (1911) 11 December 1916 – March 1917 while on trooping duties from Melbourne to Plymouth. Scenes on board include personnel and views of Sydney, Perth, Durban, Cape Town and Freetown. Some nice photographs of officers with koala bear. The surgeon also wrote a diary in white ink in the album during the voyage. Demosthenes was requisitioned from the Aberdeen Line for trooping duties 1915-19. She resumed service in 1920 and was broken up in 1931. Her wartime designation was A64.
Page 1
Photograph 1: Starboard view of the Demosthenes (1911) underway, no date.
Page 2
Diary entry 11/12/1916 – ship’s surgeon is in Sydney and instructed to join Demosthenes (1911) on 14/12/1916.
Page 3
Photographs 2 – 4: Three views of Sydney, 1916.
Photograph 5: View of the Canberra (1913) setting off for Australian ports, 1916.
Page 4
Diary entry 14/12/1916 – ship’s surgeon takes up his duties on board Demosthenes (1911). Records his impressions of the ship and of Sydney.
Page 5
Photograph 6: The Mate, the “Writer” Astle and Fifth Officer, TSS Demosthenes (1911), December 1916. The ship’s surgeon has written underneath the photograph, ‘The Mate criticises the new surgeon as he arrives on board’.
Photograph 7: The new ship’s surgeon, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916. Presumably the (so far) unidentified compiler of this album.
Photograph 8: Mr Noble, 2nd Engineer, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 9: Astle, Chief Engineer Russell, 2nd Mate Brand and Mate Young, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 10: 2nd Wireless Officer Edwards, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Page 6
Photographs 11 – 14: Four views of Sydney, 1916.
Page 7
Diary entry – Tuesday 19th December 1916 – the arrival of the New Zealand detachment of the Motor Boat Patrol is recorded.
Page 8
Photographs 15 - 19: Four views of men in civilian dress identified as : Sub-Lieutenant George Edwin Lisle Alderton RNVR, Sub Lieutenants Brown, Charles Welsh, Walter Hislop, Brown and Marcus Gage Raymond, TSS Demosthenes, 1916.
Page 9
Diary entry – Friday 22nd December 1916 – records the embarkation of Australian troops from Queensland and New South Wales – units 6/42, 18/26, 18/25, 8/49, 12/31, 8/52 and 8/47. Sail for England on Sunday 24th December 1916.
Page 10
Photograph 20: View of ferry with troops approaching TSS Demosthenes (1911), Sydney Harbour, December, 1916.
Photograph 21: Manly ferry sailing past TSS Demosthenes (1911), Sydney, December, 1916.
Photograph 22: View of a young crew man described as ‘Pat the barman’, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 23: Last view of Sydney with small yacht in foreground, 1916.
Page 11
Diary entries – 25th & 26th December 1916 – records Christmas service given by Presbyterian minister Captain McVittie and ship’s inspection by Captain Elrich and Purser Balchin.
Page 12
Photographs 24 – 26: Three views of troops attending church service, TSS Demosthenes (1911), Christmas Day, 1916.
Page 13
Diary entry 1st January 1917 – records arrival at Fremantle. Captain Elrich and surgeon visit Perth. In the afternoon ship leaves for Durban.
Page 14
Photograph 27: View of TSS Demosthenes (1911) taking on water at Fremantle, January 1917.
Photographs 28 -30: Three views of Perth, January 1917.
Photograph 31: View of SS Mooltan (1905) arriving at Fremantle, 1st January 1917.
Page 15
Diary entries 7th – 13th January 1917 – records cases of meningitis among troops and influenza among crew, one death and burial at sea.
Page 16
Photograph 32: Boat drill for RNVR – view of five young men wearing life jackets, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 33: View of naval officer with troops at church parade, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 34: Two men on board TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917. Caption, ‘Briggs cracks a joke with Allan’. Probably Sub Lieutenant James Frederick Street Briggs.
Photograph 35: Sub Lieutenants Brown and Alderton on deck with 2nd Officer Brand, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 36: Steam pilot lifeboat Lady Forrest (1903) alongside TSS Demosthenes (1911) with pilot, 1917.
Page 17
Diary entry 17th January 1917 – records arrival at Durban and tour of the city with Captain Pike the adjutant.
Page 18
Photographs 37 – 42: Six views of Durban, January 1917.
Page 19
Diary entry 18th January 1917 – records another tour of Durban, afternoon tea with naval officers and arrival of 4 nursing sisters to serve on Demosthenes (1911).
Page 20
Photographs 43 – 46: Four views of Durban, January 1917.
Photograph 44: The surgeon with naval officers Brown, Hook, Raymond and Alderton at the Fairy Dene Hotel, Sarnia, January 1916.
Page 21
Diary entry 19th January 1917 – ships departs for Cape Town to pick up escort.
Page 22
Photographs 45 & 46: Two view of a harpoon gun with man identified as Jackson, Durban, January 1916.
Photograph 47: View of the Lady Forrest (1903) underway, January 1916.
Page 23
Diary entry no date – between Durban and Cape Town the troops hold a sports meeting.
Page 24
Photographs 48 – 50: Three views of troops on board TSS Demosthenes (1911) – church service and sports meeting, January 1917.
Page 25
Diary entry 22nd January 1917 – arrival at Cape Town. Troop ship Persic (1899) there to join convoy. Demosthenes (1911) given quarantine clearance. Surgeon and officers go on motor tour.
Page 26
Photographs 51 & 52: Two views of Table Mountain, January 1917.
Photograph 53: The Ludwig Wiener (1913) tows Demosthenes (1911) into Cape Town, January 1917.
Photograph 54: View of the Demosthenes (1911) alongside East Pier, Cape Town, January 1917.
Page 27
Diary entries 23rd & 24th January 1917 – surgeon spends ashore with some of the ‘RNVR boys’.
Page 28
Photographs 55 – 61: Seven views of Cape Town, January 1917.
Page 29
Diary entry 25th January 1917 – account of motor trip round Cape Town.
Page 30
Photograph 62 – 68: Seven views of Cape Town, 25th January 1917.
Page 31
Diary entry no date – account of trip round the Cape.
Page 32
Photographs 69 – 72: Four views of the Cape, January 1917.
Page 33
Diary entry no date – account of visit to Constantia.
Page 34
Photographs 73 – 75: Three views of the Costantia vineyards, January 1917.
Page 35
Diary entry 26th January 1917 – surgeon spends the day at the seaside at Muizenberg with Alderton, Hook and Brown, Reports that Captain Morris SMO with the troops has contracted meningitis and surgeon is now Assistant Medical Officer.
Page 36
Photographs 76 – 82: Seven views of the beach at Muizenberg, 26th January 1917.
Page 38
Diary entries 27th – 29th January 1917 – reports arrival of troop ship SS Athenic (1902) at Cape Town to join convoy with converted cruiser HMS Gloucester (1909) as escort.
Page 39
Photographs 83 & 84: Two views of Athenic (1902) and Persic (1899), Table Bay, January 1917.
Page 40
Diary entries 30th January – 12th February. Convoy leaves Cape Town for ‘Old Blighty’. Fancy Dress parade, boxing tournaments and weekly concerts to pass time. Cases of mumps, measles and influenza (including the surgeon) and another case of meningitis.
Page 41
Photograph 85: Caption: ‘The Persic (1902) fails to keep station and comes alongside’, February 1917.
Photograph 86: Caption, ‘Our escort HMS Gloucester (1909) gives chase to a suspicious vessel on the horizon’, 1917.
Page 42
Diary entry 12th February 1917 – convoy arrives at Sierra Leone and surgeon gets out of sick bed to take photos.
Page 43
Photograph 87: Athenic (1902) and Barambah (1912) at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Photograph 88: View of convoy at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Photograph 89: HMS Swiftsure (1903) at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Page 44
Diary entry 13th February 1917 – records officers going ashore at Sierra Leone.
Page 45
Photograph 90: Lieutenant Parker RNVR and Padre McDonnell conferring in a Sierra Leone street, February 1917.
Photograph 91: Sub Lieutenant Hook with African guide, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 92: View of a grand two storey house with winter garden, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 93: Sub Lieutenant Welsh in the outskirts of Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 94: View of wireless station and street scene, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Page 46
Diary entries 14th and 15th February 1917 – records ship is put into quarantine and sails for UK.
Page 47
Photograph 95: Group photograph of naval officers in civilian dress, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 96: African troops preparing for Mesopotamia, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 97: Three young African boys posing for the camera, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 98: Sub Lieutenants Hook, Parker and Alderton posing for the camera, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Page 48
Diary entries 28th February and 1st March – submarine sighted and escort arrives to escort convoy to UK.
Page 49
Photograph 99: View of convoy at anchor, 1917.
Photograph 100: Two unidentified officers, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 50
Photograph 101: Captain Elrich, Master of TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 51
Photograph 102: Chief Engineer J C Russel with Teddy, the koala bear, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 103: Chief Officer Young, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 104: Mr Balchin, Purser feeding Teddy, the koala bear, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 52
Photograph 105: 2nd Officer Mr Brand, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 106: 3rd Officer Mr Smith, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 107: 4th Officer Mr Pickstock giving Teddy the koala bear his lunch of Guinness, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 53
Photograph 108: Unidentified officer with telescope ‘looking for subs’, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917..
Photograph 109: Bow view of TSS Demosthenes (1911) at quayside, Plymouth, 1917.
Page 54
Photograph 110: Captain Elrich, Master of TSS Demosthenes (1911) and Mate, 1917. [George Alexander Henry Elrich, born 4 July 1870, St. Fergus, Aberdeenshire - see Masters Certificate 024935]
Page 55
Photograph 111: Chief Engineer Russell, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 112: Teddy, the koala bear sitting on a bench, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 56
Photographs 113 & 114: Two group views of Australian troops and nursing sisters on board TSS Demosthenes (1911) en route from Queensland and New South Wales to the Great War, 1917.
Page 57
Photograph 115: Group photograph of the New Zealand Detachment Motor Boat Patrol RNVR, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917. Most of have been identified by the surgeon.
Page 58
Photograph 116: The unidentified surgeon who compiled this album posing for the camera, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 1
Photograph 1: Starboard view of the Demosthenes (1911) underway, no date.
Page 2
Diary entry 11/12/1916 – ship’s surgeon is in Sydney and instructed to join Demosthenes (1911) on 14/12/1916.
Page 3
Photographs 2 – 4: Three views of Sydney, 1916.
Photograph 5: View of the Canberra (1913) setting off for Australian ports, 1916.
Page 4
Diary entry 14/12/1916 – ship’s surgeon takes up his duties on board Demosthenes (1911). Records his impressions of the ship and of Sydney.
Page 5
Photograph 6: The Mate, the “Writer” Astle and Fifth Officer, TSS Demosthenes (1911), December 1916. The ship’s surgeon has written underneath the photograph, ‘The Mate criticises the new surgeon as he arrives on board’.
Photograph 7: The new ship’s surgeon, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916. Presumably the (so far) unidentified compiler of this album.
Photograph 8: Mr Noble, 2nd Engineer, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 9: Astle, Chief Engineer Russell, 2nd Mate Brand and Mate Young, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 10: 2nd Wireless Officer Edwards, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Page 6
Photographs 11 – 14: Four views of Sydney, 1916.
Page 7
Diary entry – Tuesday 19th December 1916 – the arrival of the New Zealand detachment of the Motor Boat Patrol is recorded.
Page 8
Photographs 15 - 19: Four views of men in civilian dress identified as : Sub-Lieutenant George Edwin Lisle Alderton RNVR, Sub Lieutenants Brown, Charles Welsh, Walter Hislop, Brown and Marcus Gage Raymond, TSS Demosthenes, 1916.
Page 9
Diary entry – Friday 22nd December 1916 – records the embarkation of Australian troops from Queensland and New South Wales – units 6/42, 18/26, 18/25, 8/49, 12/31, 8/52 and 8/47. Sail for England on Sunday 24th December 1916.
Page 10
Photograph 20: View of ferry with troops approaching TSS Demosthenes (1911), Sydney Harbour, December, 1916.
Photograph 21: Manly ferry sailing past TSS Demosthenes (1911), Sydney, December, 1916.
Photograph 22: View of a young crew man described as ‘Pat the barman’, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1916.
Photograph 23: Last view of Sydney with small yacht in foreground, 1916.
Page 11
Diary entries – 25th & 26th December 1916 – records Christmas service given by Presbyterian minister Captain McVittie and ship’s inspection by Captain Elrich and Purser Balchin.
Page 12
Photographs 24 – 26: Three views of troops attending church service, TSS Demosthenes (1911), Christmas Day, 1916.
Page 13
Diary entry 1st January 1917 – records arrival at Fremantle. Captain Elrich and surgeon visit Perth. In the afternoon ship leaves for Durban.
Page 14
Photograph 27: View of TSS Demosthenes (1911) taking on water at Fremantle, January 1917.
Photographs 28 -30: Three views of Perth, January 1917.
Photograph 31: View of SS Mooltan (1905) arriving at Fremantle, 1st January 1917.
Page 15
Diary entries 7th – 13th January 1917 – records cases of meningitis among troops and influenza among crew, one death and burial at sea.
Page 16
Photograph 32: Boat drill for RNVR – view of five young men wearing life jackets, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 33: View of naval officer with troops at church parade, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 34: Two men on board TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917. Caption, ‘Briggs cracks a joke with Allan’. Probably Sub Lieutenant James Frederick Street Briggs.
Photograph 35: Sub Lieutenants Brown and Alderton on deck with 2nd Officer Brand, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 36: Steam pilot lifeboat Lady Forrest (1903) alongside TSS Demosthenes (1911) with pilot, 1917.
Page 17
Diary entry 17th January 1917 – records arrival at Durban and tour of the city with Captain Pike the adjutant.
Page 18
Photographs 37 – 42: Six views of Durban, January 1917.
Page 19
Diary entry 18th January 1917 – records another tour of Durban, afternoon tea with naval officers and arrival of 4 nursing sisters to serve on Demosthenes (1911).
Page 20
Photographs 43 – 46: Four views of Durban, January 1917.
Photograph 44: The surgeon with naval officers Brown, Hook, Raymond and Alderton at the Fairy Dene Hotel, Sarnia, January 1916.
Page 21
Diary entry 19th January 1917 – ships departs for Cape Town to pick up escort.
Page 22
Photographs 45 & 46: Two view of a harpoon gun with man identified as Jackson, Durban, January 1916.
Photograph 47: View of the Lady Forrest (1903) underway, January 1916.
Page 23
Diary entry no date – between Durban and Cape Town the troops hold a sports meeting.
Page 24
Photographs 48 – 50: Three views of troops on board TSS Demosthenes (1911) – church service and sports meeting, January 1917.
Page 25
Diary entry 22nd January 1917 – arrival at Cape Town. Troop ship Persic (1899) there to join convoy. Demosthenes (1911) given quarantine clearance. Surgeon and officers go on motor tour.
Page 26
Photographs 51 & 52: Two views of Table Mountain, January 1917.
Photograph 53: The Ludwig Wiener (1913) tows Demosthenes (1911) into Cape Town, January 1917.
Photograph 54: View of the Demosthenes (1911) alongside East Pier, Cape Town, January 1917.
Page 27
Diary entries 23rd & 24th January 1917 – surgeon spends ashore with some of the ‘RNVR boys’.
Page 28
Photographs 55 – 61: Seven views of Cape Town, January 1917.
Page 29
Diary entry 25th January 1917 – account of motor trip round Cape Town.
Page 30
Photograph 62 – 68: Seven views of Cape Town, 25th January 1917.
Page 31
Diary entry no date – account of trip round the Cape.
Page 32
Photographs 69 – 72: Four views of the Cape, January 1917.
Page 33
Diary entry no date – account of visit to Constantia.
Page 34
Photographs 73 – 75: Three views of the Costantia vineyards, January 1917.
Page 35
Diary entry 26th January 1917 – surgeon spends the day at the seaside at Muizenberg with Alderton, Hook and Brown, Reports that Captain Morris SMO with the troops has contracted meningitis and surgeon is now Assistant Medical Officer.
Page 36
Photographs 76 – 82: Seven views of the beach at Muizenberg, 26th January 1917.
Page 38
Diary entries 27th – 29th January 1917 – reports arrival of troop ship SS Athenic (1902) at Cape Town to join convoy with converted cruiser HMS Gloucester (1909) as escort.
Page 39
Photographs 83 & 84: Two views of Athenic (1902) and Persic (1899), Table Bay, January 1917.
Page 40
Diary entries 30th January – 12th February. Convoy leaves Cape Town for ‘Old Blighty’. Fancy Dress parade, boxing tournaments and weekly concerts to pass time. Cases of mumps, measles and influenza (including the surgeon) and another case of meningitis.
Page 41
Photograph 85: Caption: ‘The Persic (1902) fails to keep station and comes alongside’, February 1917.
Photograph 86: Caption, ‘Our escort HMS Gloucester (1909) gives chase to a suspicious vessel on the horizon’, 1917.
Page 42
Diary entry 12th February 1917 – convoy arrives at Sierra Leone and surgeon gets out of sick bed to take photos.
Page 43
Photograph 87: Athenic (1902) and Barambah (1912) at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Photograph 88: View of convoy at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Photograph 89: HMS Swiftsure (1903) at anchorage, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Page 44
Diary entry 13th February 1917 – records officers going ashore at Sierra Leone.
Page 45
Photograph 90: Lieutenant Parker RNVR and Padre McDonnell conferring in a Sierra Leone street, February 1917.
Photograph 91: Sub Lieutenant Hook with African guide, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 92: View of a grand two storey house with winter garden, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 93: Sub Lieutenant Welsh in the outskirts of Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 94: View of wireless station and street scene, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Page 46
Diary entries 14th and 15th February 1917 – records ship is put into quarantine and sails for UK.
Page 47
Photograph 95: Group photograph of naval officers in civilian dress, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 96: African troops preparing for Mesopotamia, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 97: Three young African boys posing for the camera, Sierra Leone, February 1917.
Photograph 98: Sub Lieutenants Hook, Parker and Alderton posing for the camera, Sierra Leone, 1917.
Page 48
Diary entries 28th February and 1st March – submarine sighted and escort arrives to escort convoy to UK.
Page 49
Photograph 99: View of convoy at anchor, 1917.
Photograph 100: Two unidentified officers, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 50
Photograph 101: Captain Elrich, Master of TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 51
Photograph 102: Chief Engineer J C Russel with Teddy, the koala bear, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 103: Chief Officer Young, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 104: Mr Balchin, Purser feeding Teddy, the koala bear, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 52
Photograph 105: 2nd Officer Mr Brand, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 106: 3rd Officer Mr Smith, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 107: 4th Officer Mr Pickstock giving Teddy the koala bear his lunch of Guinness, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 53
Photograph 108: Unidentified officer with telescope ‘looking for subs’, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917..
Photograph 109: Bow view of TSS Demosthenes (1911) at quayside, Plymouth, 1917.
Page 54
Photograph 110: Captain Elrich, Master of TSS Demosthenes (1911) and Mate, 1917. [George Alexander Henry Elrich, born 4 July 1870, St. Fergus, Aberdeenshire - see Masters Certificate 024935]
Page 55
Photograph 111: Chief Engineer Russell, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Photograph 112: Teddy, the koala bear sitting on a bench, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Page 56
Photographs 113 & 114: Two group views of Australian troops and nursing sisters on board TSS Demosthenes (1911) en route from Queensland and New South Wales to the Great War, 1917.
Page 57
Photograph 115: Group photograph of the New Zealand Detachment Motor Boat Patrol RNVR, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917. Most of have been identified by the surgeon.
Page 58
Photograph 116: The unidentified surgeon who compiled this album posing for the camera, TSS Demosthenes (1911), 1917.
Object Details
| ID: | ALB1088 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Photograph album |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Date made: | 1916-1917 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | Overall: 170 mm x 241 mm |
| Parts: |
Album of the trooping duties of TSS Demosthenes (1911)
|