27th Battalion grave photography project

4210 Sergeant Henry Matthew Skinner MM, lays a wreath on the grave of 1538 Sergeant Robert Stanley Knill, 27th Battalion, of Adelaide, SA, died of wounds (DOW) 2 September 1918, in Cappy British Cemetery, Cappy, west of Peronne. Beside him is the grave of 4397 Private Percy Dash, 24th Battalion, of Strathbogie, Vic, DOW 2 September 1918. This image is one of a set of photographs of the original graves of some members of the 27th Battalion. The Battalion funded the purchase of the camera through its adjutant Captain (Capt) Southon for 5541 Pte G R Barrington to photograph the graves. The camera and negatives were then acquired by Major John L Treloar on behalf of the Australian War Museum, reimbursing costs for the camera to Capt Southon.
One of a set of 66 images requested by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Royden Chalmers. The 27th Battalion history 'The Blue and Brown Diamond' relates that 4210 Henry Matthew Skinner MM and battalion photographer Barrington left Mont-sur-Marchienne on 2 February 1919 to photograph scattered graves of soldiers of the unit. Skinner features in a number of the images photographed by Barrington. Copies were supplied to next of kin and near relations.