At first glance, these photographs could appear to be holiday snaps taken on vacation.

Ancient Egyptian structures, including the Sphinx and pyramids in Giza.

Giraffes, and other animals, at the Cairo zoo.

Local scenes of everyday life.

In reality, these are some of the last images captured by a captain in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in rare moments of calm during active service in World War I.

This series of personal photographs provides a valuable glimpse into the lives of soldiers, preparing for a conflict that would ultimately claim many of their lives.

Film photography at this time was still relatively new, but easily concealed pocket cameras were popular with soldiers travelling to the front.

Just days into the journey the convoy encountered a German cruiser, SMS Emden, near the Cocos Islands.

One of the convoy escorts, HMAS Sydney, overcame the Emden and Edward captured the aftermath in one of his earliest photos from the journey.

While the convoy was originally bound for the United Kingdom, after a month at sea it was redirected to land in Egypt.

In December 1914, Edward was among the thousands of ANZAC troops, also known as diggers, to set up at Mena Camp near the pyramids in Giza.

Thousands of tents in the desert, right next to one of the world's most iconic structures.

Over the following months, the diggers prepared for the coming conflict.

They trained eight hours a day, six days a week, in sandy trenches ... 

... and marching in the sun with full kits with heavy backpacks.

But when time allowed, the troops made the best of their situation.

In the lighter moments captured by Edward, they enjoyed ice cream in the desert.

Prepared for a camp Christmas feast.

And sometimes even dined out in Cairo.

Edward’s photographs show his curiosity about Egypt.

And his interest in the lives of his fellow soldiers, so far from home.

And, very occasionally, Edward allowed his own camera to be turned on him.