'Troops march onto the Pier'
'Troops march onto the Pier' - Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

Princes Pier, Fond Farewells

When thinking about the effects of World War One on Port Melbourne and its people, Port’s piers are a clear starting point. After more than 50 years as the ‘gateway’ to Australia, the outbreak of war saw Railway Pier served as a place of departure. The first convoy in October 1914 saw sixteen transport ships depart for the front, and over the course of the war thousands more departed via Town Pier, Railway Pier and Princes Pier. Early embarkations were initially to be kept secret, in response to the German presence in the Pacific. However images of embarkations dating from later in the war reveal this initial secrecy gave way to large public affairs, the piers crowded with family, and the ships festooned with streamers.

by pastportproject on Sept. 7, 2015


'Troops embarking on HMAT Hororata, 1914'
'Troops embarking on HMAT Hororata, 1914'

Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

'Troops departing on the HMAT Ulysses, 1914'
'Troops departing on the HMAT Ulysses, 1914'

Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

'Troops onboard the HMAT Aeneas, 1916'
'Troops onboard the HMAT Aeneas, 1916'

Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

'RMS Orontes leaves Port Melbourne'
'RMS Orontes leaves Port Melbourne'

Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

'Crowd farewells the troops, 1917'
'Crowd farewells the troops, 1917'

Source: Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

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