Pictorial record of Ned Dwyer's time in Egypt with AIF Page 1

17-6-16 Tel el Kebir Dear Mother, In the usual health.  Trust that you are too and that Kate, Fred, Clara and Bill is in good nick, too.  I am not in love with camping in the desert, sand everywhere.  Hope that we leave here soon. Whitestyles is with me still.  I think that we will be leaving Egypt soon.  I don’t care how soon it is.  It is very nice in the morning, but about midday the wind rises and it is hot and blows sand everywhere. These cards I got in Colombo. Trusting all well. Sonny. 3/47 Battalion 12 Infantry Brigade A.I.F. 29-6-16   Still in Egypt

Postcard photo of the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Egypt.  The decorated scroll on the card has the following message:

“A  Greeting from Egypt to my Dear Mother.

Dearest of Mothers, I’m sending a card and I hope it will find you so happy and bright, 

Though my life may be different, don’t worry or fret, you can take it from me dear that I’ll be alright;

So don’t be downhearted, just hope for the best and do as we boys do, cheer up with a song.

Then whilst I’m away, Dear, and ‘doing my bit’ the thought of you, Mother, will help me along.”

(Egypt)  8-7-16 Dear Mother, Still here and in the best of nick.  Wondering when we will get out of it.  I was in Cairo on leave last Saturday and had a good time. The Gypo’s have a wonderful respect for that black badge, ‘The Rising Sun’ and the Indian Lancers have a smile and the open hand for any man wearing it.  The people here use the same kind of tools and farm implements that they used at the time of Christ and before. I have not been able to get films developed yet but hope to soon now.  Things are dear here and the coons are arrant thieves so of course they get a pretty rough passage at times. Trusting that you are well and fit, Sonny

SENTIMENTAL - Postcard photo with flower decorations and this verse entitled 

"Goodbye to My Dear Sister". 

• We’re off, old girl,

  • From England’s* shores,

  • To take our chance

  • And do our bit;

• There’s no mistake

  • The drill, though hard,

  • Has made us what you may call fit.

  • No time for more,

• I must look sharp

  • There goes the good old bugle call;

  • Write often and I’ll do the same,

  • Goodbye, don’t worry,

• Love to all.

*Ned has crossed out ‘England’s’ and inserted ‘Australia’s’.  

The poem was written by A.S.Andrews the card published by Beagles and Co. Ltd.  It carries the statement – ‘Guaranteed real photograph’.

Egypt  10-7-16 Dear Kate, How are you all keeping at home?  I would like to get a letter from you but I don’t know when we are likely to get them.  None of our fellows have had a mail yet.

I met Will Walker yesterday.  They are camped about three miles from us in the same camp.  It is very tiresome waiting here.  We expected to have moved away from here long ago but we are still waiting orders.  We none of us like the desert.

How are Fred, Clara and Bill getting on and don’t forget to let me know how Mother is keeping?  I am getting into fine fettle, fit for anything.  Bill and I were to have a look round today.  I was to show Will round, but we are both on duty, Will Corporal of the guard and I am Orderly Corporal in our respective units so we have to wait till tomorrow. Love to all at home. Sonny.