The Australian War Memorial’s digital exhibition A camera on Gallipoli, featuring First World War photographs taken by Sir Charles Ryan, is now showing in the Courthouse Gallery.
In 1914, at the age of 61, Sir Charles Ryan was appointed consulting surgeon to the AIF, embarking from Melbourne in October towards the Middle East and on to Gallipoli.
A camera on Gallipoli showcases a series of 39 candid photographs captured by Ryan.
Australian War Memorial director Dr Brendan Nelson, said Ryan’s photographs captured the reality behind the 1915 Gallipoli campaign, depicting a unique and often harsh view of our soldiers’ experiences.
“Ryan’s photographs reflect the Australians’ true experience of war, depicting the dry, forbidding landscape, tired troops in the trenches, and squalid dug-outs,” he said.
“Ryan also managed to capture the true spirit of the Australian soldiers who fought at Gallipoli. Their mateship, stoicism and endurance underpin the photographs and embody the meaning of the Anzac spirit.”
Behind the photographs in the exhibition is the story of Charles Ryan’s remarkable life. He served as a doctor with the Turkish army in 1877–78, treated Ned Kelly at Glenrowan, and was a leading Melbourne surgeon.
The exhibition is a centenary initiative to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. It was first shown in the ArtGeo Gallery to mark the beginning of WW1. This final showing celebrates the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. A camera on Gallipoli is on display until December 4 .
