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 Eden Palace Hotel.
The Eden Palace Hotel served as the Headquarters for British troops in Egypt in the 1920s. Postcards, like this one, from 1910 onwards advertised the hotel as being first class with electric lighting.
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
Hotel on street corner with tram passing.
Physical Description
Black and white image of a large building. Passing the building on its right side is what looks like a tram whilst two horse drawn carriages pass by the front of the building. A group of figures can be seen standing on the street corner next to the building.
More Information
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Collection Names
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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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Inscriptions
Printed in black ink on the front of the postcard in the top right corner of the image: 'Cairo, Eden Palace Hotel / (Arabic inscription)' Printed in black ink on the front of the postcard along the left margin: '? 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), 88 mm (Height)
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References
Photo caption, 'Paris on the Nile, at: [Link 1] accessed: August 2, 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
World War I, 1914-1918, Hotels, Streetscapes, Postcards, Trams