First World War Black and White Photograph of the Matarieh Ostrich Farm in Cairo

c. 1915
Overview

Small black and white photograph of 2 adult Ostriches and a brood of at least 6 chicks at the Matarieh Ostrich Farm, in Cairo, Egypt. Photo shows brick wall enclosure with palm trees in the background.

Historical information

This series of black & white photographs was collected by Private Eric Sydney BANNISTER, regimental number 19. He joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) on the 11th August 1914, just a week after war was declared on Germany. The mission of the ANMEF was to destroy German radio stations and occupy German New Guinea and surrounding areas. The ANMEF secured military occupation on the 13th September 1914. The photographs are from two areas of Australian military deployment during the First World War. Ten (10) are from a deployment to German colony of New Guinea in 1914 and another eighty (80) from Cairo dated 1915 and 1916.The photographs of his deployment are of national significance and show one of Australia’s first military action in the First World War.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2018.3.51
Item type
Photographs
Material
Photo Paper
Width
102 mm
Height or length
71 mm
Weight
1 g
Inscriptions and markings

Handwritten in black ink on back "Ostrich Farm - / Matarieh - / Cairo".

Contextual information

The Matarieh Ostrich Farm, located close to Cairo, Egypt was established in response to the European fashion industries growing demand for ostrich feathers. The feathers were extremely prized for the use in boas, stoles and hats, although with the outbreak of the First World War the demand for the luxury item began to wane.

Place made
Cairo, Egypt
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Monday, 21 September, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Photo of ostrich adults and chicks at Matarieh Ostrich Farm, near Cairo.
Photo of ostrich adults and chicks at Matarieh Ostrich Farm, near Cairo.
Rear view showing inscription.
Rear view showing inscription.

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