Empress of Russia (Ship)

Date: 1914-1915

By: Maunsell, Henry Beresford, 1890?-1958

Reference: PA1-o-336

Description: Photograph album relating to Henry Beresford Maunsell's service during World War I, with the NZ Army 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles Regiment in Egypt. Many of the military personnel are identified, a few with later dates added noting when some of the men photographed in the album were killed in action. The first part of the album shows soldiers leaving on board HMNZ troopship 'Orari' 14 October 1914, the trip through Hobart, Colombo, Aden, Port Said until disembarkation in Alexandria December 1914. Many scenes show the shipboard stabling for horses used by Mounted Rifle troops; others show various ships they passed on the way. The latter part shows various military scenes in Egypt, including The New Zealand Corps camp near Cairo; swimming horses crossing the Nile; Red Cross Vauxhall ambulance; groups of soldiers riding camels; horse lines; and a line of horses at drinking troughs. There are a few images of soldiers at tourist sites, and some of Egyptians. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Other Titles - Maunsell album Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with maroon cover; 25.5 x 30.5 cm

Date: 18 December 1940 - 22 April 1941

From: Penny, Theo Kenneth, 1913-1986: Military papers

Reference: MSX-9625

Description: Journal with numbered pages of experiences during World War Two service. Started 18 December 1940 describing the march from the army training camp to Papakura train station to catch the train to Wellington and board the ship 'Empress of Russia' to Australia. Diary describes the journey to and through Greece via Sydney, Australia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Alexandria, Egypt. Includes descriptions of travel, scenery, people, and the experience of being bombed. Title taken from item. Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Manuscript on pre-lined notebook, 19.5 x 13 cm.

Date: 1940 - 1941

From: Various artists :1. Jackson, Richard Edward, b. 1916. [Portrait of Sir Hamilton Mitchell. ca 1962]. 2. [Artist unknown. Four views showing vessels leaving Wellington Harbour. 1940-1941]. 3. Hooper, William John, 1916-1996. [Photolithograph of the New Zealanders who flew from RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain, 1940] 1941

Reference: G-108

Description: Shows three ships leaving Wellington Harbour, possibly the troop convoy US.8, which comprised the liners 'Dominion Monarch' and 'Empress of Russia', escorted by the New Zealand light cruiser 'Achilles'. The convoy left Wellington on 19 December, 1940. The scene is painted from above The Terrace, possibly at Kelburn. The row of houses that face onto The Terrace can be seen in the middle distance, and among the city buildings shown are the Chief Post Office (clock tower visible) and the Government Life building. The eastern hills and Somes Island complete the background, with a dark, cloudy sky above the city Title taken from pencil inscription on verso of painting The artist is unidentified, but they have signed a monogram with the letters 'JMC' (or similar), 1941, in the bottom-right corner Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - [monogram reading JMC, or similar, 1941, in brushstroke] Quantity: 1 oil(s). Physical Description: Oil on canvas, 370 x 570 mm (sight), in oak frame 460 x 665 mm