Informal portrait of Captain (Capt) Claude Henry Stubbings, 52nd Battalion, of Zeehan, Tas, AIF, ...

Informal portrait of Captain (Capt) Claude Henry Stubbings, 52nd Battalion, of Zeehan, Tas, AIF, after being presented with his Military Cross (MC) at No 11 Australian General Hospital situated at the historical property 'Glen Eira', Caulfield, Vic. The ceremony was attended by the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson (left), and his wife Lady Helen Munro Ferguson (on Stubbings' left). Capt Stubbings is wearing his uniform, including his cap, with the MC attached to his uniform jacket. Capt Stubbings' married his hospital masseuse (physiotherapist), Catherine Campbell Bothroyd, in 1921. Stubbings enlisted on 21 August 1914 and was appointed colour sergeant of D Company, 12th Battalion, with the service number 407. He served at Gallipoli and in March 1916 Stubbings transferred to 52nd Battalion before leaving for service in France. He was promoted to captain in May 1916 and was appointed adjutant of the battalion in August of that year. The following month he was given the command of the battalion's A Company. Stubbings was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at the Battle of Messines 28 August 1917.