This week’s Sepia Saturday 245 is all about men larking about, perhaps with a wee drop of whisky in the background.
My images today date from a serious aspect of our nation’s history, World War II, but it’s also obvious the men weren’t on the front line and were having a fine time larking around. This series of photos is from my aunt’s photo album which I inherited. Her husband, Pat Farraher, was a cook with the Army during the War and I wrote about the serious side of his story back on Sepia Saturday 180.
In the photos Pat and his mates are having a play stoush, doing the seemingly-inevitable rabbit ears behind a mate and generally having a light moment or two with or without the wee dram. I don’t know whether the photos were taken at Enoggera barracks in Brisbane or somewhere in Papua New Guinea, but my guess would be the former except in the final photo. Seriously, would you trust these men with the nation’s security?
I wonder how other Sepians have responded to this challenge? Do their photos reveal lurking, posing, drinking or sharing?
Family history across the seas 
I find it a little comforting to know that “our boys” in the midst of the horrors of war can enjoy larking around a bit.
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You’re right Kerryn, good for their mental well-being I’m sure. You can see why the more formal Brits were horrified though 🙂
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It would be funny if Slim Hope’s brother was nicknamed ‘Fat Chance’.
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A classic comment Kylie -that never even occurred to me!
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Great to have these lovely natural shots of the men playing around, or skylarking as we both say.
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Thanks Jo…funny we both used the same word, though I don’t use it all that often in the normal course of events.
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Referring to the 4th photo in line, I had no idea making the devil’s horns sign behind the head of an unsuspecting photo subject’s head went that far back! Everyone in my family has been doing it to each other for years. How funny & how comforting to know we’re in good company!
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Neither did I, La Nightingail but I admit it’s a habit I find especially annoying…no sense of humour 😉
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We don’t see many of these casual photos of how the men enjoyed themselves with some tomfoolery amidst the horrors of their mission.
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Logically they had to be not far from the front line at times, since the troops had to be fed, but perhaps there was no tomfoolery when they were that close.
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Your observation on the wisdom of trusting these men with a nation’s security is the same thought I have whenever I see photos of fresh-faced young men in the service. Babies are protecting our freedom!
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As with police etc, as we age those “in charge” seem younger and younger Wendy.
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Now I have seen your post I could have used my brother’s WWII photos as there is a lot of groups on them. Those Aussie hats always catch my attention in photos,
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That happens Bob 😉 Yes, the hats are distinctive indeed.
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I suppose the shorts on the cook are practical for hot climates and hot kitchens, but that is not the usual image of a chef and I found it amusing.
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Isn’t it funny what we take for granted…the shorts never even raised my eyebrows…used to the tropics I guess. Certainly no check trousers to be seen….what would MasterChef say?
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A perfect match for this weekend’s theme. I daresay that a cook had the most important duty in any army. Yesterday I came across snapshots from my grandfather’s 1927 service in the US Marines, and they have the same lighthearted flavor as your photos. Which is, of course a universal element of every soldier’s life.
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They do say an army marches on its stomach so I guess the cooks were important, though personally I think I’d rather have been a cook than a front line soldier. I guess all soldiers need to kick up their heels when they can, to counter-balance the horrors they see. Thanks for visiting Mike.
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