Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Black and White Photograph of the Virgin Mary’s Well

1916 - 1919
Overview

A small black and white photograph showing a Light Horse trooper sat casually on the edge of a stone structure (identified as the Virgin Mary’s Well). There are pole fences at each side of the well and inside of these on either side are two (2) wooden wheels with what appear to be buckets on them. Outside of the fences sit larger wooden wheels with only their top half visible above ground. Behind the well is a large tree and then a stone wall. The reverse of the image has the proforma printing of part of a postcard and an inscription. The photograph has a small border and apart from a slight smudge on the back, is in good condition.

Historical information

A Roman well near Mary’s Tree is believed to have provided water to the Holy family during their stay in Matariyya. The Virgin Mary is thought to have washed Christ’s clothes in it.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2022.1.90
Item type
Photographs
Themes
War and Conflict > World War 1
Material
Photo Paper
Width
90 mm
Height or length
67 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On the reverse in machine printing “CARD / ADDRESS ONLY” with “Virgin Marys Well” written in black ink.

Keywords
First World War
10th Light Horse Regiment
Place made
Egypt
Year
1916 - 1919
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Geotag
-35.030449, 117.912878
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Last modified
Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Front of Image
Virgin Mary’s Well
Rear View of Image
Reverse of Image Showing Inscription

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