Item HT 32614 Postcard - 'The Avenue to the Pyramids', Egypt, World War I, Peile Brothers, World War I, 1914-1916

Summary

Postcard from a World War I album from Egypt containing 33 postcards, most featuring Egyptian themes. Of particular interest amongst these postcards is one containing a letter written to 'Father' (presumably John Peile Snr) signed by 'VS' that mentions Albert Peile. The inclusion of this postcard suggests that the album either belonged to or was compiled by John Peile Snr or another member of the Peile family.

Black and white image of the Avenue to the Pyramids (also known as Pyramid Road) which connects the Pyramids of Giza to Cairo. The road was built by Isma'il Pasha for the Empress Eugenie of France who visited Egypt in 1869 for the inauguration of the Suez Canal. The acacia trees that originally lined the root were donated by the Empress, but were later replaced by Eucalyptus trees.

Part of a collection of material relating to the World War I service of brothers John and Albert Victor Peile, who both died in the conflict. Younger brother Albert enlisted first. He was a 22-year-old unmarried clerk when he enlisted on 27 August 1914, service number 769, 3rd Battalion. He served in Gallipoli and later France, and was eventually promoted to the rank of corporal. He died in Bullecourt, France on 4 May 1917 and his body was never found. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. His brother John Peile was a 38-year-old unmarried miner when he enlisted on 25 June 1915, service number 2662, 2nd Battalion. He also served in in Gallipoli and France, and was similarly promoted to corporal. He died in France on 18 September 1918 and is buried at Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Their mother died only a few years later in 1926, aged 73.

Their niece was Mrs M. J. Hitchens, the donor. Margaret Joan Hitchens (1916-?) was the daughter of Albert and John's sister Alice and her husband John Henry Dinwoodie.

Description of Content

Grove of trees with person walking on road and carriages parked beside.

Physical Description

Black and white image of an unsealed road lined with trees on both sides. A figure in uniform stands in the middle of the road, looking down at something in their hands. Further down the road, in the background, are more figures. On the right hand side of the road is a line of carriages and on the left hand side is what looks like the porch of a building.