Historical information

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)

Physical description

Four Australian soldiers

Inscriptions & markings

Verso: '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].