Studio portrait of 677 Private Laurence Charles Workman, 18th Battalion. Born in Belgium, Pte ...

Studio portrait of 677 Private Laurence Charles Workman, 18th Battalion. Born in Belgium, Pte Workman immigrated to Australia in 1911, and subsequently enlisted in Paddington, NSW, on 22 February 1915. Whilst serving as a stretcher bearer during the Gallipoli campaign, Pte Workman was mentioned in General Sir Ian Hamilton's last despatch for 'conspicuous bravery' and frequently volunteering to bring in wounded under heavy fire. On 25 August 1915, Pte Workman rejoined his company as a Corporal (Cpl), and took part in the second charge at Hill 60 two days later. Initially listed as missing, later reports indicate he was killed before reaching the Turkish trenches. Cpl Workman was officially listed as killed in action on 27 August 1915, aged 21. This photograph is from an Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau file. The Bureau, which commenced operation in October 1915, sought to identify, investigate and respond to enquiries made regarding the fate of Australian personnel. It investigated the majority of personnel posted as wounded and missing on official Army lists, as well as written enquiries from concerned relatives and friends. Approximately 32,000 individual case files were opened for Australian personnel who were reported as wounded or missing during the First World War. The Bureau employed searchers to operate both at the front and in Britain. They searched official lists of wounded and missing, interviewed comrades of missing soldiers in hospitals and wrote to men on active service. Altogether 400,000 responses were sent back to those who placed enquiries with the Bureau.