Rarotongan soldiers visit Melbourne

Seven members of the second Cook Islands contingent (11th Maori Reinforcements) photographed with their commanding officer, Lieutenant G.A. Bush, on the steps of Melbourne Cathedral, 27 November 1916. The men were en route to Suez and caused considerable interest in Melbourne because they were 'dark-skinned'. This group was later renamed the Rarotongan Company of the NZEF.