Ray Blight from Ballarat, Victoria was an Australian soldier during World War One. John Raymond (Ray) Blight enlisted on 19 July 1915. He was an electrical engineer, having studied at the Ballarat School of Mines. On 23 June 1916 Ray Blight disembarked at Marseilles. On 3 February 1917 he was hospitalised with scabies. Ray Blight's next of kin was his mother, Mary Jane Blight of 116 Lyons Street South, Ballarat. This photograph was with a number of other World War One photos relating to the Holmes family of Ascot, Victoria.Black and white photographic portrait of Ray Blight a soldier of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Verso "Sincerely Yours Ray Blight France 1918."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, blight, ray blight, france

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. He sent a number of postcards home to his family in Ascot, Victoria. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the daya to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.A number of tents and soldiers in a dry landscape. They are Australian Soldiers At Metras, Egypt during World War One. Verso: 'Breaking Camp at Metras prior to making our departure from there on March 28th.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, metras, egypt

Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. S. Gordon Spittle married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Handwritten lower front 'Do we look down hearted?' Handwritten verso 'Egypt, March 23rd 1916. Dear Mrs Troup. Your very fine and interesting letter dated Feb 15th came to hand to-day and needless to add was delighted to receive it, and can promise you that I'll answer it at my earliest opportunity. We are now having a better time since we came to this part, as we are able to enjoy a little of city life, although we have a good deal more work to do, & which is mostly carting goods to & from the ships & railway stations etc, all of which is interesting & quite a change from our life on the Desert. Hope this card finds you in good health. I will now have to say au revoir for the present with kindest regards to Mr Troup, self and family. From your very sincere friends, A. Gordon Spittle."Two uniformed Australian soldiers pose for a photograph during World War One.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, spittle, gordon spittle

Harold Reid, dressed in Australian Army uniform poses for a photograph during World War One. Verso 'Harold Reid, taken at place where we have our maps printed.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, harold reid, reid

Harry Holmes and his battalion friends photographed aspects of their time on the Suez Canal, Egypt. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the day to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.1) Four Australian soldiers during World War One in Egypt .2) Soldiers watch while two men 'fight' on a greasy pole during World War One .3) Australian soldiers stand at the grave of a German Officer at the Suez Canal, Egypt.2) Verso - "greasy Pole Fight" .3) verso: - Snap taken at grave of German officer killed in the first tussel (sic) with Turk at the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, cam williamson, greasy pole, ship, vessel, burial

An image of a number of Australian Soldiers During World War One posing in front of tents in Egypt.Verso: "Our Camp at [censored with blue pencil - probably Sereapeum]. In the background can be seen the plantation which grows for miles along the [Suez] Canal, and for miles back you see masts of the shows in the Canal."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez

Probably in Egypt, c1916Eleven Australian Soldiers during World War One. The soldiers belong to Harry Holmes' (of Ascot, Victoria) battalion.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, world war

Image of two Australian soldiers in uniform during World War One. They are Joe Fawcett and Jack Nase.Verso: "Joe Fawcett and Jack Nase"chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, fawcett, nase, joe fawcett, joseph fawcett, jack nase

Image of the French brothers posing from a photograph while dressed in the AIF uniform during World War One.Verso in pencil: "On the left is Sergeant French and on the right is Driver Frenchchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france. french

Photograph of the Ascot boys who served with Harry Holmes at the front during World War One. Harry Holmes in the front. Ray Blight in centrechatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ray blight, harry holmes

Seven Australian Soldiers sit around a table during World War One. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one

An image of Australian soldiers and horses swimming in an Egyptian Canal during World War One. A number of the soldiers are naked.Verso: 'Swimming horses in the Canal. This snap is a good one to show you the Canal. X indicates S.G.S. [S. Gordon Spittle].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez canal, harry holmes, gordon spittle

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Image of two uniformed Australian soldiers guarding a temporary gaol at Metra during World War One.Verso: 'Clink or jail at Metra. Gordon [Spittle] in the centre and Jim and George Hobill on guard.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, hobill, metras, egypt

Metras, SuezSepia photograph of the Australian horse lines in Egypt during World War one. Verso: 'Portion of the Remount Depots horse lines at Metra.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez, horse

Verso: 'Native water wheel and buildings near A.O.D.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one,

Image of three Australian soldiers in Uniform during World War One, along with a number of Egyptian children. The soldiers are Harold Reid, Harry Holmes, and Gordon Spittle.verso: 'Snap of Harold Reid, Harry [Holmes], Gordon [Spittle] and three Egyptian boys taken in front of fernery at Nouza Gardens.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, nouza gardens

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Image of six uniformed Australian Solders, and an Egyptian holding a small bear.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, holmes, harry holmes

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) A photograph of the cemetery at Metras, Alexandria, Egypt. It shows many graves and monuments.Verso: 'Snap taken of the Egyptian Cemetery near our camp at Metras, Alexandria.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, metras, alexandria, egypt

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Black and white image of a canal in Egypt during World War One.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Four postcards of Nouza Gardens, alexandria, Eygpt. .1) Two English soldiers walk down a tree lined avenue at Nouza gardens .2) Garden setting with fernery building on the right. .3) Gardens with towered building in the centre of the photograph .4) Three Egyptian boys who acted as guide to Australian Soldiers Harry Holmes and his friends sit on a seat in front of a fernery building. .1) Aveue at entrance to Nouza gardens, Two tommies in the foreground. .2) View at gardens. Nouza .3) View taken at Nouza Gardens, Alexandria. .4) The fernery at Nouza Gardens. Very pretty inside. the three boys we picked up and they acted as our guides. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, nouza gardens, alexandria, egypt

The postcard was written on by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Sepia photograph showing a number of tents used by Australian soldiers during World War One, with the Suez Canal in the foreground. Verso "A camp five miles from ours. Snap take [3 words covered in blue pencil by the censor - they appear to say 'across the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, suez canal, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes and Gordon Spittle who were members of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle dies in 1949 aged 56. Black and white postcard showing a statue in the middle of a townscape in Alexandria, Egypt. The monument is Mohamed Aly.Verso "Monument to Mohamed Aly which is erected in the square Alexandria. Gordon. 30/3/16chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, spittle, gordon spittle,

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)Two postcards showing Australian army camp at Metras Camp, Egypt .1) A soldier sits on a horse in front of a cart. Lines of horses are in the background behind a post and rail fence. .2 A horse is hitched to a manure cart at Metras Camp, Egypt. Lines of horses are in the background. .1) verso - 'Taken at Metras Camp' .2) verso - 'A native horse and cart carting manure at horse lines.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)A team of eight camels, teamsters and Howistzer, and a large tent.Verso - 'A team of eight camels yoked in an five inch Howistzer taken at [censored in blue].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, harry holmes

Printed on the postcard (verso) 'this impressive picture shows a Church of England service on the battle-field for troops going into the trenches, the Chaplain officiating from a small field altar. A number of men near around an altar with a priest during World War One. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt

At Mont-des-Cats Abbey a first community of the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony was settled in 1650 and lasted until the French Revolution which closed the monastery in 1792. In 1826, a new community of Trappists (Reformed Cistercians) was funded, and this congregation has run the abbey ever since. (wikipedia). This card was most probably purchased during an Australian soldier during World War One. A black and white postcard showing a french abbey which is sitting behind a garden in winter.chatham-holmes family collection, france, church, abbey, mont des cats, world war 1, world war, world war one

Colonne Vendôme is located in the centre of the Place Vendome square and was erected by Napoleon as the Colonne d'Austerlitz. The column in 44 metres tall and is modeleld after Rome's Trajan Column. It was built to commemorate the victory at Austerlitz in 1805, one of Napoleon's greatest. The column's continuous ribbon of bas-relief bronze plates by the sculptor Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret were made from 1200 cannons taken from the combined armies of Russia and Austria during that battle. The reliefs depict scenes during the Napoleonic Wars between 1805 and 1807. The Column was later was given the names of Colonne de la Victoire (Victory Column) and Colonne de la Grande Armée (Column of the Great Army). Today it is commonly known as the Colonne Vendôme. A statue of Napoleon was installed at the top of the column in 1810. Later, the statue of the emperor was removed and the bronze melted down to provide the bronze for the recast of the equestrian statue of Henri IV on the Pont Neuf. A new statue was installed in 1833 which was later replaced by the statue that is seen today. It was erected by Napoleon III and depicts Napoleon I as a Roman emperor.Black and white postcard of a sculptural column in Paris. chatham-holmes family collection, sculpture, napoleon, paris, vendome, world war, world war 1, world war one, column

Le Bizet is a village in the Belgian province of Hainaut . It lies in the district of Ploegsteert and is near the French border. This postcard was purchased by an Australian soldier during World War One. Black and white postcard showing houses in Le Bizet, Belgium in ruins after bombing during World War One. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, le bizet, belgium, ploegsteert, world war, world war 1, bombing, world war one, western front

Boeschepe is a commune in the Nord department in northern France, next to the Belgian border.Black and white postcard showing a number of buildings lining an unmade road. chatham-holmes family collection, boeschepe, france, world war, world war 1, grande place

Mesen (Messines in French, historically used in English) is a city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises of one main settlement, the town of Mesen proper. (Wikipedia) Two large battles were fought at Messines during World War One. Black and white postcard of a windmill at Messines, Belgium. chatham-holmes family collection, windmill, messines, moulin, world war, world war 1, world war one, belgium