Souvenir of Egypt : Private E A Gale, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Cotton sateen souvenir sent by Private Edward Augustus Gale to his mother. It is embroidered in machine chainstitch in cursive script 'Remember me till we meet again' at the top in cream thread. Beneath this is embroidered 'Souvenir Of Egypt' with an image of two pyramids with palm trees. Surrounding this is a floral and leaf design. At the bottom is the text 'From Eddie To Dear Mother 1915 Egypt' in cursive script. The souvenir is edged with a cotton and metalic thread fringe.

Associated with the service of 1477 Trooper Edward Augustus Gale, 4 Light Horse Regiment. Gale was 19 years old, and working as a railway porter when he enlisted in the AIF on 26 July 1915. He embarked with the 11th Reinforcements for the Regiment aboard HMAT Palermo from Melbourne, Vic, on 29 October 1915.

Soon after arriving in Egypt this souvenir was purchased by Gale to send to his mother Mrs Florence Ada Gale. Gale was posted to A Squadron in January. He was charged with being absent from roll call and church parade in late January and was punished with five days confined to barracks.

In February Gale was admitted to hospital with mumps. He returned to his unit in March and was transferred to C Squadron. Gale served in Egypt and Palestine, and on 23 May 1917 he was wounded in the head during the action at Tel el Marakeb in Palestine. He was evacuated to hospital in Egypt.

After recovering from the wound and a short period of extra training, Gale rejoined his unit in July. He continued to serve with his unit in Palestine, taking part in the Charge at Beersheba, in Jordan, where he fought at Es Salt, and in Syria. Gale returned to Australia on 25 July 1919, aboard HT Essex from Kantara. He was discharged on 16 September 1919.