Above: A group of World War I Diggers and civilians outside of the Criterion Hotel in Weston NSW
From the Alexander Galloway Collection
~ Coalfields Local History Association
In 1916, amidst the tumultuous First World War era, Scottish-born photographer Alexander Galloway captured timeless portraits of young Australian soldiers preparing to depart for the front lines. Operating from his studios in Weston (established in 1905), Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, and Rutherford (Maitland), Galloway well served the Coalfields communities of the NSW Hunter Region with his prolific photography. His military subjects, drawn from Weston and nearby towns, stood proudly in their uniforms, their faces reflecting courage, youth, and the weight of impending sacrifice. Using delicate glass plate negatives, Galloway preserved these moments with remarkable clarity, a testament to his skill as a regional photographer.
Hidden for nearly a century under a house in Weston, NSW, these fragile negatives were rediscovered in 2010 during renovations, narrowly escaping destruction. They were handed to Coalfields Local History Association (formerly the Coalfields Heritage Group) whose volunteers, together with Towns With Heart, devoted countless hours to carefully cleaning the plates that were originally found caked in mud. With Mr. Bill Ruddick’s expertise in scanning, the volunteers ensured these images could be digitally preserved. The wish of the the late Brian John Andrews O.A.M., a driving force behind the Coalfields Heritage Group, was that the public find out about these great images and that they were made available to add to the history of the veterans of our area.
This collection holds profound historical and emotional significance. Our 'Lost Diggers' gallery showcases 58 of Galloway's evocative portraits. We've applied a sepia filter, which can help reveal more intricate details for some. Many of these soldiers remain unidentified, their stories yet to be told, so we invite you to look into their faces, honour their service, and reflect on the sacrifices made by these young Australians. The discovery of ‘The Lost Diggers of Weston’ collection stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of remembrance and the power of community effort in uncovering hidden histories. Efforts to identify the remaining unknown soldiers and share their stories is ongoing, ensuring this sacred piece of local history endures for future generations.
If you have old family photographs—perhaps passed down from grandparents or great-grandparents—please do check them to see if they include military service photographs that might match these images. And if so, please contact the Coalfields Local History Association. Together, we may be able to restore their names and stories to history.
Coalfields Local History Association Inc
209 Cessnock Road, Abermain, NSW.
Phone: +61 2 4044 8020
Email: coalfieldshistory@gmail.com
Alexander Galloway's
Australian Soldier and friends [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Lt. Garnet Edmund Iles Tinson (1887-1915)
Light Horseman
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Corporal [n.d.]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldiers [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldiers [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private Leo Dixon [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Corporal [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
[Australian] Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private George Bird (1895-1965)
35th Battalion
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, Douglas Underwood
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, Dan Sheahan [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, J.S. Taylor [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, J.S. Taylor [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private Oliver John Cripps (1897-1962)
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private William John Moore [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private William James Albert (Billy) Jonas, 1887-1947
24th & 9th Battalions
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldiers, mates, [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Trooper John Joseph (Jack) Fisher (1894-1959)
Light Horseman
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldiers
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Corporal Charles Lutch (Lucht) (1890-1967)
Light Horseman
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, drummer
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private John Burnley (1888-1917)
Bugler, World War I
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldiers [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier with family [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private Thomas Dix (1886-1917) 34th Battalion
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian soldier, A. T. Govers
[1916]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private Robert Cornelius Kelly [1916]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
A soldier with a girl, [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private George Robert Thomas Hodge, wife, Grace Miriam Hodge, née Butler, and daughter Mona. 1915. 2nd & 54th Battalions.
See bio: https://coalfieldshistory.org/lost-diggers/
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Thomas Ridley, DCM, MC, Medal of St. George, 4th Class (Russia) (1884-1918)
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Australian Soldier
[1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
Private James Germyn and girls [1914-1918]
Photographer: Alexander Galloway
~ Coalfields Local History Assoc.
As we conclude this journey through the gazes of ‘The Lost Diggers of Weston’, let us reflect on the profound impact of their untold stories emerging from obscurity after more than a century. This collection not only revives the memory of these brave Australian soldiers but also underscores the vital role of local heritage efforts in safeguarding our shared past. By honouring their service today, we ensure that future generations will continue to remember the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. Should you uncover any clues to the unidentified soldiers, your contribution could complete these narratives—please reach out to the Coalfields Local History Association:
Coalfields Local History Association Inc
209 Cessnock Road, Abermain, NSW.
Phone: +61 2 4044 8020
Email: coalfieldshistory@gmail.com
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget. 🇦🇺