CAPTAIN JAMES HENRY MOORE 38TH BN AND CAPTAIN ERNEST WILLIAM DIXON D.S.O 10TH L.H. & 3RD ANZAC BN. IMPERIAL CAMEL CORPS (15TH L.H.)
These two photo albums contain a mixture of over 250 photos of both Captain Moore & Captain Dixon. The albums were put together by their friend Eileen Ramsay and are all very detailed. They include;
1. The embarkation of the 38th Bn AIF from Melbourne on the HMAT Runic. in June 1916. This is a most comprehensive detail of all the Officers (HQ's and all Coy's) naming each individually. With various other identities on the ship including Lieut. Orchard (Geelong footballer) and various other officers who would later become KIA, commanding Officers and or highly decorated to name just a few.
2. General photos of the battalion on board the ship ie. "looking for submarines", boxing "Heavy weight Championship" and general drill
3. Several photos of a visit by General Monash with Major Story (later the C.O. of the 37th who was later controversially dismissed as a result of the mutiny) and Brigadier McNicol D.S.O. for example.
4. Hospital photos. Nurses and wounded (Named)
5. Two portrait photos of Australian Flying Corps pilots (signed), one of which is Will Dixon brother to Ernest, the other name is hard to read and needs further research. Also various plane photos and a group photo of the AFC pilots in 1918 (pictured left), most likely related to Will.
6. Numerous photos related to Captain Dixon a Jnr Officer D.S.O. and twice mentioned in despatches. The photos start in Perth in February 1915 including naval officers, HMAT Kyarra (twice torpedoed, although not his ship he travelled on), then in the Middle East with various officers and men (named), horses (named), Light Horse Warrent Officers, signalers, 8th Light Horse Sgt, Soldiers doing gas mask training, despatch riders, Turkish officers surrendering, too many to name. These photos cover the early stages of Captain Dixons service when he was part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train A.A.S.C. hence his association with so many different units whilst working out of HQ. He was then made R.S.M. of 10th Light Horse and then transfered with a commission to the Camel Corp (15th L.H.). This is when the then Lt. Dixon wins a Gallant D.S.O defending the post that would later be known as "Dixons Post" for his command of the position when the Turks make a last ditch effort to re-take Beersheba.
Both "mixed" albums are extremely fascinating and have so many avenues to research. As with the above two lots of photos, they are well documented, clear and represent a researchers dream. There are so many outstanding names that appear, that I have no doubt that many of these photos will eventually end up in publications.