Photograph - black and white, Harry Holmes, Australian Soldiers Breaking Camp at Metras, c1916

Historical information

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)

Significance

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.

Physical description

A number of tents and soldiers in a dry landscape. They are Australian Soldiers At Metras, Egypt during World War One.

Inscriptions & markings

Verso: 'Breaking Camp at Metras prior to making our departure from there on March 28th.'

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