Summary
Black and white postcard of a swing bridge over a canal at Ismailia, Egypt. The postcard, written 9 January 1916, was sent by Sapper Alfred Galbraith to 'Home Folks'. Galbraith writes about the boats being pulled along the canal by men.
Born in Maryborough, Sapper Alfred George Finlay Galbraith was the son of Alfred and Amy C. Galbraith, of W.R. Institute, Flinders Street, Station Buildings, Melbourne. He trained as an electrical engineer and enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of 20, in July 1915. His father gave written permission for him to join 'the Military Forces to serve the Empire abroad' (his mother had already died). Galbraith served in the 5th Division Signalling Company, Australian Engineers, AIF, embarking from Melbourne on 23 November 1915 on the 'Ceramic'. He went to Egypt for further training, then was shipped to France, disembarking 27 June 1916 at Marseilles. Less than three weeks later, on 15 July, he received a wound in the thigh and a 'penetrating wound in the neck'. He died the same day at the 8th Australian Field Ambulance.
Description of Content
Black and white postcard of a swing bridge over a canal at Ismailia Camp, Egypt. On the back is a letter to Alfred Galbraith's 'Home Folks' dates 9/1/16. He writes about the boats being pulled along the canal by men. Galbraith was training in signals with the 2nd Division Australian Army at Ismailia Camp. Alfred Galbraith Collection, First World War.
Physical Description
Black and white postcard. Photographic image on obverse of a bridge in Ismailia. A letter,handwritten in purple ink, takes up all of the reverse.
More Information
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Collection Names
Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection, Military Memorabilia Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation & Subsequent Transfer from Mrs M. Jamieson, May 1985
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Place & Date Depicted
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Author
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Individuals Identified
GALBRAITH, A.G.F.
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Format
Postcard, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Printed on obverse: ISMAILIA - Le Pont de l'Ecluse Handwritten on reverse: Ismilia/ Dear Home Folks/ 9-1-16/ This card/ is a swing-bridge over the/ fresh-water canal and all/ round this part is very/ pretty the natives bring/ their boats down with/ timber stores and produce/ and onto the Suez Canal &/ sometimes they stop/ and unload near the town/ they are flat-bottom/ boats with masts that/ go about 20 to 39 ft upward/ with sails on but I have/ never seen them at full sails/ out yet they general pull/ them down on the banks/ by two men, Did and I are still together we have/ have our own photos taken/ together but do not know/ how it will come out/ but we are each sending/ one home. Letter following/ with Love to all/ Alf
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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
138 mm (Width), 86 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Australian Army, Australian Military Forces, Bridges, Letters, Military Memorabilia, Postcards, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918