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

This photo was taken at Ferry Post, Suez Canal. .2) Two Australian Soldiers around a camp fire at Ferry Post boil a billy for tea..1) Verso: Harry [Holmes] and Gordon [Spittle] make afternoon tea for Cam, who snaps them in tea-making operation. (Ferry Post, Ismailia, Egypt). .2) S.G.S. [S. Gordon Spittle] and Harry [Holmes] making coffee to entertain Cam Williamson on his first visit to our camp. The hat hides Harry's face. These snaps are taken by Cam's Kodak."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, suez, ferry post, billy tea

The photograph was associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. 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. 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 Australian soldiersVerso: 'Moascar, Egypt, June 14th '16. From left to right. S.G.S. [Gordon Spittle], Cam Williamson & Harry [Holmes]. Sitting is Private Berry a son of the big merchants in Melbourne. Am sending these negatives to Jim W. so if they arrive safely, you'll be able to get better proofs from him. From Gordon [Spittle].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, moascar, egypt, suez canal, spittle, williamson, harry holmes, berry, egypt, moarcar