The Australian War Memorial’s digital exhibition ‘A camera on Gallipoli’, featuring First World War photographs taken by Sir Charles Ryan, will be at the Bulahdelah War Memorial Hall, 72 – 74 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah, NSW, on 23–27 April, 2015.

The feature ‘A Camera on Gallipoli’ is part of an ANZAC Centenary Commemorative Exhibition being staged at the War Memorial Hall and the School of Arts that pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women from the Bulahdelah District over the last 100 years.

The Exhibition will also feature the book launch “Bulahdelah Boys-Family and Mates in the Great War” of the Service of 72 Soldiers’ either born or enlisted in Bulahdelah, where 19 paid the ultimate sacrifice.

There will be a sausage sizzle held at the hall following the Dawn Service.

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 Charles Ryan while serving with the AIF in Turkey in 1915.

The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, says Charles Ryan’s photographs capture 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,” Dr Nelson 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, was a leading Melbourne surgeon and gave long service as a senior military officer.  He was extended high civil and military recognition by his peers.

The exhibition is a centenary initiative to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

‘A camera on Gallipoli’  is on display at Bulahdelah War Memorial Hall from 23–27 April, 2015.