WWI Album Compiled By Stationer’s Son William Edwin Penfold
c1915–1917. Leather-bound album containing 355 printout paper and silver gelatin photographs, a certificate and a printed programme, most items annotated in ink and some dated, 26 x 37 x 10cm (album). Split binding between front cover and intact spine, some scuffs to cover. This album, which provides a detailed visual record of the activities of Australian troops in Egypt, Palestine and Sinai during WWI, was compiled by William Edwin Penfold (1895–1968), eldest son of the printer and stationer W.C. Penfold. Many of the photographs show soldiers building tents, on horseback, preparing food or tea and “issuing rations” (including “Fruit from the Comforts Fund, Kantarra [sic]”), “playing two-up”, shaving, having haircuts, swimming in Suez Canal, events such as a “fumigation parade” and “Xmas 1917”, and boarding the Ulimaroa at Kantara, Egypt, prior to returning to Australia. Some of the soldiers are named in annotations, including William’s cousin Harold Penfold. Twenty-one (21) of the photographs are second-generation press prints, showing events W.E. Penfold would not have been able to attend, such as “General Allenby entering Jerusalem, 9-12-17.” Images include Turkish soldiers on a battlefield, and German prisoners. Items of loose ephemera contained in the album include a programme for “First Light Horse Veterans Re-union and Dinner”, held on June 18, 1919 in Sydney; and a certificate of appreciation and “welcome upon return from the Great War” from “The Turramurra Patriotic League”, inscribed to “No. IIII Sergeant W.E. Penfold, B Squadron, 1st Light Horse, Australian Imperial Forces”, and annotated “4th June 1919.” Ref: ADB; The Dubbo Liberal, 12.3.1926.
Item #CL198-66
Price (AUD): $19,500.00 other currencies