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 'Vue Generale D'Assiout (Haute Egypt)' which translates from the French to read 'General view of Assiut (Upper Egypt).' Assiut (or Asyut; Greek: Lycopolis) was the capital of the thirteenth Nome of Upper Egypt and was dedicated to the gods Anubis and Wapwawet. Today it is the capital of the Said Governorate and is famous for its university (the third largest in Egypt) and its ancient necropolis.

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

View across desert, with palm trees on left side.

Physical Description

Black and white image of a domed structure underneath three palm trees. Across the desert, in the background, is what looks to be a small village at the foot of some mountains. In the foreground, off to the left, is a figure holding the reins of two horses.

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