Well, it’s not exactly new as it was taken in September 1916. But it IS new to the Australian War Memorial and is a great addition to the very limited material on Martin O’Meara VC that exists.
It was taken in September 1916 (probably between 10-16 September) and shows O’Meara being congratulated by fellow patients at the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth after receiving news of his Victoria Cross. The men are all wearing the common ‘hospital blues’ uniform. The man to O’Meara’s right (shaking his hand) bears a resemblance to Albert Jacka VC who was in Wandsworth around the same time (can anybody confirm if it is Jacka?).
The photo was recently donated to the Memorial by O’Meara’s relative Noreen O’Meara. The Memorial’s page for the photo is http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11930.001/
Another photo already in the War Memorial’s collection (see below) looks like it was taken at the same time.
Love your work Ian, We will formulate key structural terms/bullit points so that all three of us are on the same page. Great shot of Martin. I will talk through briefly to morrow. Looking forward to the chat on air, as is Gerry Gannon , a very experienced communicator! Frank
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