1916 Anzac Day program

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Type: Programs
Date: 1916
Place: Egypt, Africa; Serapeum, Egypt
Materials: Paper
Collection: John Murray collection
Accession number: 2006.0084.0001

Description

A printed program for ANZAC Day ceremonies held in Serapeum, Egypt, 1916, annotated with black ink. The program comprises a single sheet of paper printed on both sides. The text on the front reads "ANZAC DAY / First Anniversary / FOURTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION / SARAPEUM EGYPT / APRIL 25th 1916. Below is a list of judges, committee names and the referee's name.

Norman Barkle wrote in his diary about the observance of the first anniversary of ANZAC day by the troops in Egypt: '25/4/16 Anzac day. Church parade in memory of our comrades who fell on Gallipoli. The band played the dead march and the last post was blown. Given holiday, sports on the canal. Lady Godley and the Prince of Wales attended the carnival. YMCA opened by General Godley. It was a lovely day and the sports came of [sic] grand thousands of men attended.' The diary is held in the collection of the Australian War Memorial (AWM PR89/111).

About the collection

The John Murray collection comprises two embroidered silk postcards and two embroidered silk handkerchiefs dating from World War One, and a program for Anzac Day ceremonies held at Serapeum, Egypt, in 1916. The handkerchiefs and postcards were sent by Norman and Alfred Barkle to their mother in Sydney while the men were serving with the First Australian Imperial Force in France and Belgium. During World War One, embroidered silk postcards and handkerchiefs became popular souvenirs for Australians serving on the Western Front. Local women and small factories produced these items for sale to Allied troops through regimental canteens. The cards and handkerchiefs featured a variety of patriotic and sentimental motifs and messages and Australians sent thousands home to family and friends.

Read live from the Museum's Collection API (12/11/2026, 4:58:10 am). Record last updated by the Museum 2025-02-24. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.