was he working in the war?

[patty]

This has nothing to do with the Royal Welch (as far as I know), but is a question about the military/ civilian during ww1.

I had an Uncle that in January 1915 travelled via France to Alexandria, then on to Cairo, across to Port Said and eventually on to Malta over a 3 month period. (I have the actual passport with the date stamps on it).

Now, my question is, does anyone have any idea why he would have been travelling to those destinations at that time?
He was a professional photographer and also an expert in gunpowder (he ended his years inventing and making fireworks).

He was a civilian when he made this journey and was aged 53.

Do yu think he could have been working for the government in any way?
Surely a journey like that at that time could not have been for pleasure?

Oh yes and I also have a postcard (unused) from Cairo from that trip, and on the back is written someones name that I cannot decipher at the moment, but then the word 'understudy'.
I am intrigued. Any suggestions?

[Bob Bacon]

Patty, do you have your uncle's name

[patty]

yes sir, full name was:
Henry Coleman Gravelet Blondin -- sometimes he would drop the name Blondin, but rarely drop the name Gravelet.

[John Turner]

Would add that this guy was the son of the Blondin who was the first guy to tightrope across Niagara Falls - he did it a few times.

Pat has re-united the family - and has had visits from people from the States and S Africa - her Mother is the only living person to remember the son.

Travelling like that in those days was not for your average Joe - we wonder what he was up to!

[chalky]

This has nothing to do with the Royal Welch (as far as I know), but is a question about the military/ civilian during ww1.

I had an Uncle that in January 1915 travelled via France to Alexandria, then on to Cairo, across to Port Said and eventually on to Malta over a 3 month period. (I have the actual passport with the date stamps on it).

Now, my question is, does anyone have any idea why he would have been travelling to those destinations at that time?
He was a professional photographer and also an expert in gunpowder (he ended his years inventing and making fireworks).

He was a civilian when he made this journey and was aged 53.

Do yu think he could have been working for the government in any way?
Surely a journey like that at that time could not have been for pleasure?

Oh yes and I also have a postcard (unused) from Cairo from that trip, and on the back is written someones name that I cannot decipher at the moment, but then the word 'understudy'.
I am intrigued. Any suggestions?

not sure how usefull tis is, but might he have worked for an oil company? as roahd dahl did in ww2