The following are postcards writern by Lionel King while stationed in Ciaro during World War One. The comments after each postcard are some of the comments he wrote on the cards.

"Their music is weird. There is not much melody to it. These bands are employed to play at funerals, weddings and other functions."

"The Egyptian Mail is the chief rag. The boys are running round of a morning shouting “Berry good news dis morning”. They never wear very much clothes."

"I have only seen this sight once in Alexandria. It was very amusing. The monkey did not collect many ½ piastres."

"This Gypo is crying out his wares but does not speak English as written on the other side. He cries “Oranges” sounding the “G” as in get and it is followed by “Berry clean, berry good, berry sweet, berry nice”"

"This Tommy is asking one of the Egyptian police his whereabouts. These policemen have not got a very good knowledge of English and it is a hard job to make them savvy."

"These two Tommies are giving MRS Mohamed the Gladeye and Mohamed does not seem to like it. It is common to see Egyptian swells with one of their young wives for they are allowed one or two if they can keep them."

"As soon as you enter a town out here you are pestered with these boot boys. If you tell them no and try to send them away they will say Bucksee meaning free. They will clean one and not the other till they get their ½ piastre. Not very slow are they"

"Whenever one goes to a big town in Egypt you are always worried to buy a stick even if you have one with you. They try to charge you 5 or 6 piastres for one but you can get then for 2 piastres or 5d in English money. The other person on the left of the picture is another worry to the British Tommy with his silks etc."

"The Donkey is the most common form of conveyance next to the trams. The poor donkeys do go through it. First from the donkey boy and then from the rider."

"It appears the nigger has worried the Australian for a shine and now wished he'ed never. The Australians are all right at this sort of game but the British can keep them in place."

"One thing I notice out here the police seem to have a grudge against their race. The children run away as soon as a policeman comes in sight. The Caracal is the station."

All pictures (unless stated) on this site are the property of Christopher John King (Lionel's Son). If you wish to use any of the information on this site could you please contact Matthew Francis King (Lionel's Grandson) at mattzippyking@aol.com. Thank you.