Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Black and White Photograph of Christmas in Hospital

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1918 - 1919

Overview

A small black and white photograph showing a hospital ward. The image shows a row of portable beds with folding legs, covered in white sheets that have a medical cross on them. There is a male patient sitting up in one of the beds on the right-hand side of the image. In the center a large table is set up with chairs and wooden benches for seating. One nurse and a male patient are sat on a bench talking to another nurse who is standing. There are palm trees throughout the room and paper chains and banners hang from the ceiling. The table has glasses and serviettes placed on it in settings. Australian Flags and a union Jack can be seen on the walls. Other patients can be seen in beds behind the table on the other side of the ward. There is a white border surrounding the image which is in good condition. The reverse of the image has the proforma printing of part of a postcard and an inscription.

Historical information

Christmas in Egyptian hospitals during First World War, particularly in 1915 and 1916, was marked by efforts to create a festive atmosphere for sick and wounded soldiers, often utilizing decorated wards, special meals, and gifts, despite the sombre reality of war.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.99

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Photo Paper

Width

89 mm

Height or length

69 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On the reverse in machine printing “CARD / ADDRESS ONLY” with “Christmas in Hospital” written in black ink.

Contextual information

This photograph is part of a collection of Sgt Frederick Ernest BRUCE 243 who served in the 3rd Machine Gun Brigade of the 10th Light Horse Regiment. It can be seen from his service records that Sgt BRUCE was in hospital in Alexandria on 11 December 1918 and discharged 7 January 1919. It is therefore possible that this image reflects that hospital stay.

Keywords

First World War

10th Light Horse Regiment

Place made

Egypt

Year

1918 - 1919

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Well provenanced