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 what looks like a simple street, but is identified as the 'Entree du Mousky' which translates from the French to read 'Entrance of Mousky (or Mosky).' El-Mosky is an area of Cairo that was founded by Prince Ess el Din Mosk, a member of the royal family during the reign of Sultan Salah El Din El Ayobe (Saladin).
El-Mosky appears to refer specifically to a market famous for selling all types of products.
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
Low-rise urban streetscape with pedestians.
Physical Description
Black and white image of a street scene taken from the opposite side of the road. Several figures are shown walking along the sidewalks and crossing the street. A large building is off to the side with what appears to be a line of shops on the other side. On the right hand side, behind the smaller building, is what looks like a minaret.
More Information
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Collection Names
Military Memorabilia Collection, Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Victorian Branch, Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL), Mrs Margaret J. Hitchens, 1986
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Place & Date Depicted
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Format
Album
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Inscriptions
Printed in black ink on the front of the postcard in the upper right hand corner: 'Le Caire, Entree du Mousky / (Arabic inscription)' Printed in black ink on the front of the postcard along the left margin: 'Nr. 168 Au Carto-Sport, Max H. Ruddman, Le Caire' Printed on the back of the postcard along the top margin: 'L'adresse seule doit être dorite de ce côté' Printed on the back of the postcard: 'UNION POSTALE UNIVERSELLE / EGYPT / CARTE POSTALE'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
140 mm (Width), 89 mm (Height)
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References
'El Mosky,' Memphis Tours Egypt, at: [Link 1] accessed: August 6, 2012 For Albert Peile's war record see the National Archives of Australia website at: [Link 2] For John Peile's war record see the National Archive of Australia website at: [Link 3]
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Keywords