Postcard 1: To Miss L James, Tenby House, Coca Beach, Pontardulais, S Wales

Sunday 21st Mar 1915

Dear Lin

Received your two letters last evening and many thanks for same. I really intended replying to same this afternoon but regret unable to do for certain reasons which shall give you in a letter tomorrow. I regret ... but I feel if any ...... today... Hope I shall be 'Tru Bin' shortly. Love and kisses from your Jack.

Postcard 2: To Miss L James ...

7th July 1915

Dear Lyn,

... ... a ... view the setting seen in the the waters. Beautiful isn't it. Large batter for a letter by the first. An 1uite ... Love from James

Postcard 3: To Miss James

7th July 1915

Just a word to let you know am quite well. What do you think of this. It is a monument in Sainte .... Very massive as you will see and is quite white, it's to the memory of a General, but you can read the French better than I can explain it. Hope you are quite well ... Love be for you, Jack

Postcard 4: To Miss James

30th October 1916

Dear L,

Just a word or two to let you know I am quite well hope you are enjoying the best of health. Things are still at a standstill here as regards letters dear don't think the boat is leaving tonight again so you'll have a nice bunch of letters together eh! My very best regards to all .....

Postcard 5: To Miss Eva Packer, 2 Russell Road, Walthamstow, London

19.12.16

My dearest Eva

I think that you are asking for trouble only one small note a week now. What is the reason lots of love Dad

Postcard 6: Mrs Fred Packer, 2 Russell Road

16th Oct 1915

Dearest

I am anxiously waiting a line from you and sincerely hope the gifs missed the store are you alone yet Love Fred

Postcard 7: Miss Eva Packer

18.10.15

Dearest Eva

I hope your mouth is better tell son I have not another card but I will not forget him Monday. Kiss mum for me. Your loving Dad.

Postcard 8: Miss Eva Packer

16.10.15

My dearest Eva

I have seen this cathedral from the distance I hope one day to have a look round inside. Goodbye for a time. Dad.

Postcard 9: Miss Eva Packer

11 Jan 1916

My dearest Eva

I am anxiously waiting to hear how you are if you dare to be ill whilst I am out here look out for your self I am waiting for my week end letter. Love Dad.

Postcard 10: Miss Eva Packer

16 Nov 1915

My dearest Eva

I have sent you a very pretty card which I hope you will like. I am anxiously waiting to know if you received the parcel. Love Dad.

Postcard 11: Miss Everline Packer

4 Dec 1915

My dearest Eva

Thanks for your letter I was pleased to hear from you and shall expect you to assist chip whilst son is away you must ask mum to tap my box to see if there is anything left. Love Dad.

Postcard 12: Miss Eva Packer

9 Feb 1916

My dearest Eva

I must ask you what you know about it first I receive blank spaces the long letter then long letter then no letter at all what are you going to do about it. Love Dad

Postcard 13: Miss Eva Packer

5 Feb 1916

My dearest Eva

Glad to hear from you but four long letters are dreadful try smaller ones. I think you will have to admit that my cat won. I will answer your later on. Love Dad.

Postcard 14: Miss Eva Packer

23rd Jan 1916

My dearest Eva

What about Lyon's you will have to let me know what you meant also let me know when you are coming to fetch me. Lots of love Dad.

Postcard 15: Mr J Smith, 3 Heathfield St, Willesden Green, London

27 Aug 1916

Dear L, Thanks for letter which I expect to receive today. Weather still very changeable. Love Fred.

Postcard 16: Miss Whitehouse, 15 Wyecliff Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham

25 April 1916 Heuringham

Just a line to wish you very many more happy birthdays than this one can be. I'm sorry I'm a few days late in writing - but have been pretty busy - we are still in our same old village - miles and miles from the line. Much love S.R.

Note: The name of the place has been cut out on the postcard: Saint Omer (Pas de Calais). This was done possibly by the soldier himself (who knew that it was not allowed to reveal one’s location as this was a danger to the troops) or the censor (see censor’s stamp: field censor 20). Saint Omer was never occupied during the First World War (although close to the front line) but  hosted  the headquarters of the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) who established themselves there during what is known as the “Race to the Sea”.

Postcard 17: Miss L Rilette [?], 71 Welford Cresc. East, Nottingham

July 4th 1916 France

Dear Miss R

Crossed over last Saturday. Very hot here just now. Am not far from place on front, but moving tonight. Cannot give any address at present. Kindest regards A P (129093 Gnr A Paling)

Postcard 18: Mr R .... New Row, Northallerton, Yorks

9th Aug 1915

D Friend I hope this card finds you well and in the pink as it leaves me at present I like this life up to now and I hope I will have the luck to come back and see you all I aftimes think of you all and think how you are all going on as I never hear from any of the boys how is the boys going on at farm. remember me to them and all the Boys at the shops and see it some at them will drop me a few lines I think I have sent nearly all of them a P.C. when I think of there adress I would send all of them one if I had their adress have you got our new fass [?] engine yet or have you still got the old steamer I guess you will be knocking on in the same old way years behind the times ?? I have scars. .. Leach.

Postcard 19: Mrs M H Wilcoxon, 40 Sudworth Rd, New Brighton, Wallasey, Ches.

9th Oct 1916

Dearest all other

I am very glad you have received the cards alright. They are very pretty. I will try and get some more.

Pleased to hear you enjoyed your holidays. Wish I was having one. When leave starts I hope to be getting mine. Its about time. Your loving son Frank.

Postcard 20: To Mrs G Masters, 42 Beatrice Road, Leicester

3/3/1918

Dear wife, Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well and in the best of health. I will write as soon as from you loving Hubby George xxxxxx

Postcard 21: To Mrs F W Andrews, 91 Sulgrave Rd, Hammersmith

Frank to May

Postcard 22: Dear Daisy, Wishing you a Merry Exmas from Gwen xxxxxxxx

Postcard 26: 14/7/1917

Legend: I'm glad they've put no tax (tacks) on these seats!

To Miss Mary Bass, Woodgarth, Abbotsbury, Newton Abbot, Devon

From Sutton Veny Camp

Dearest Baby

You would no do a thing like this would you? It was a nice p.c. you sent.

I am so sorry about your tooth.  Doyer would love to come and play with you again, we did have some fine times didn't we? How is the 'pink coat' getting on?

With love and kisses, Doyer.

Notes: From 1916 an entertainment or amusement tax was imposed on theatres. Theatres had not initially been considered to have a positive effect on the war effort. To counteract this perception, theatres would offer tickets free to those in uniform and organised patriotic entertainment and collections for war time appeals. The 1915 law on alcohol sales hit the bar receipts of theatres significantly and the 1916 tax forced an increase in ticket prices.

Sutton Veny village was near to Warminster and Salisbury Plain. As such it was an ideal location to barrack troops prior to deployment.

Postcard 27:

Legend: I can't love a feller what hasn't died for his country!

To Betty Parker, The Collingwood, Ilfracombe, Devonshire

Dear Betty

You all look very happy on the p.card.

I hope you are having a good time, and plenty of bathing.

With love, Eva

Postcard 28: 3/9/1914

Legend: Pay Day

Dear Betty

Will you please thank Dad and Fred very much for their share in Uncle's Box of Cigars also he ...

Postcard 29: 5.11.1914

Legend: Rule Britannia!

Our hearts are with our sailor lads,

Whose motto's "Do or die!"

And Britain's boast, our grand Navy,

Will bring us victory.

To Mrs Thomas, 290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, Essex

My dear Fleda

I hope top leave Liverpool Street about 2.30 on Saturday. I am looking forward to see you all again. Will tell you all news on Saturday. Much love to you all. From Bessie.

Postcard 30: 24.12.1914

To Miss Betty Parker

290 Hoe Street

Walthamstow, Essex

Postcard 32: 24.12.1914

To Miss Betty Parker

290 Hoe Street

Postcard 33: 24.12.1914

Postcard 34: 24.12.1914

Postcard 35: 13.8.??

Legend: Little Pet

Tralee, Westcliff, Bournemouth

Dear Betty, I intended writing you on Sat but hadn't time. I came down Saturday and its lovely today out. Smith spent the morning on the sands. I'm ?? afraid Mrs Bach spoils ??. Lots of love Auntie.

Postcard 36: 30/10/14

Legend: Admiral Sir J Jellicoe KCVO

Mrs Thomas

290 Hoe St. Walthamstow, Essex

My dear Fleda, Very many thanks for letter received this morning. I will come for the week end Saturday week November 7th.It will save any trouble in case you do not know in time. Very sorry to hear about Clive. Will tell you all news next week. Much love to you all, Bessie

Note: Admiral Jellicoe was commander of the British Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Although this engagement was successful in keeping the German fleet blockaded in port, some were critical that no decisive victory was achieved.

Postcard 37:  14th January 1915

Mrs Thomas

290 Hoe Street

Walthamstow

Essex

Legend: It's a long, long way to Tipperary.

So sorry dear to hear you have been laid up with the flue. Glad you are recovering and hope you will soon be quite better and that all the others will escape.

Much dear love to all from Flo.

Notes: the song "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary" was allegedly written for a 6 shilling bet in 1912 and performed at a local music hall in Stalybridge. Daily Mail correspondent George Curnock saw an Irish regiment singing this song as they marched through Boulogne in August 1914. The song was quickly picked up by other units of the British Army and in November of the same year recorded by the famous tenor, John McCormack.

Postcard 38: 18.1.1915

Mrs Thomas

290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow

How very kind of you and Olive to send me such a lovely H.D.C. [??] I do like it so much and send you both many many thanks for it. Please thank Betty for the gloves. I will try to write soon dear. But we had to call for the Dr yesterday morning for Mrs F. Septic poisoning in hee thumb so I know you will ?? more now. Do hope you are better much ??

Postcard 39: May 26th 1915

Legend: Congratulations

I send you this Birthday Greeting

Upon this happy day.

May Health, Wealth and Happiness

Attend on you alway.

To Olive Thomas, 290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow

With love, Auntie Flo

Note: The use of the symbol of a pig to represent good luck originated in Germany and is found in popular art in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Postcard 40: 1st June 1915

Legend: Many Happy Returns

May the Hours fall lightly

as petals from the flowers

and each new Birthday

be filled with joyous hours.

To Mrs Thomas, 290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow

with love from Flo

Postcard 41: 1 June 1915

Legend: Many Happy Returns of Your Birthday

To Mrs Thomas, 290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow

Wishing dear Mother many, many happy returns of the day with love from Olive

Postcard 42: 26 July 1915

Legend: A Happy Birthday

To Miss Betty Parker, 290 Hoe Street, Walthamstow

A very very happy birthday dear and many many happy returns. Hope you still like the little bag. Much dear love from Auntie Flo.

Postcard 43: 30 August 1915

To Mrs Thomas, Wave Crest, Marine Drive, Paignton

So delighted to have your P.C. and to know you had arrived safely and like the place. the views you sent were very pretty. ?? says it looks quite different to what it was when they were there several years ago. I got a scare when I had your letter. to know you had a raid at W[althamstow]. What a narrow escape of life you all had for which I was thankful dear love.

Note: On 17-18 August 1915, four Zeppelins attacked London. Only one reached London proper but confused the line of the River Lea for the Thames. As a result it cropped its bombs on Walthamstow and Leytonstone. The first bomb fell at 22.32 on Lloyd Park. Numerous streets were then bombed including Hoe Street. Ten people were killed and 48 injured. Damage to property was estimated at £30,750.

Postcard 44: 5 September 1915

Legend: All the latest views from Paignton:

To Mrs Betty Parker, "Ingledell", Totteridge nr High Wycombe, Bucks

Dear Betty, Thanks for your P.card and did Uncle bring Sylvia down today? if so hope you have had a nice day together. We are going home tomorrow. soon holiday soon over. Much love from Auntie.

Postcard 45: 23 Dec 1915 (Harwich)

Pre-printed: Panel Greeting Card

This card can be sent Halfpenny Packet Post provided there are no more than five written words (formulas of courtesy or of conventional character).

Postcard 46: 8 Apr 1915

To Miss Norman, Hoe Street, Walthamstow

Dear Olive, thank you for the easter egg. With love from Willie

Postcard 47: 18 Apr 1910?

Master Rowland Hood, Meiston, Chichester, Sussex

Darling Peter, Millie sends her love and thanks you for the P.C. She is still in bed and has a bad headache. Ask Auntie Sybil to have your hair cut. Love Mummy

Postcard 48: 20 May 1915

Miss Thomas, 290 Hoe St, Walthamstow

Dear Olive, This is to wish you Many Happy Returns of the Day (29th) With love and best wishes from Ethel.

Postcard 49: 24 September 1916 (Military stamp)

Legend: A kiss from France

To Betty with kind regards from M.

Postcard 50: 17 January 1918

To Miss Olive Thomas, 144 High Street, Walthamstow

It was so kind of you darling to send me the very pretty pair of gloves. I do like them. Thank you very  much. Also for your dear little note and good wishes. You begin to write very nicely and I do like having a little letter from you. When is mother going to have your photo taken? Much dear love dearie and many kisses from Auntie Flo.

Postcard 51: 16th Aug 1917

To Miss B Parker, Ingledall, Totteridge

Dearest Betty

Sylvia's address 62 George St, Ryde, I.W.

Lots of love I wish you and Sylvia were here. Regards to father.

Postcard 52: 24 August 1917

Miss Betty Parker, at "Ingledell" Totteridge

Dear Betty, We are off home tomorrow and will you tell Dad we can't come on Sunday but will write or phone him during the week. hope ........................ safely. still having nice weather. its terribly rough here we can't sit on the sands so had to go into the gardens. Much love from Auntie.

Postcard 53: 13th August 1917

Miss Betty Parker

"Ingledeel"

Totteridge

N. High Wycombe

Bucks

Legend: I see your Tommy's back dear Lady

Dearest Betty

I hope you are having a jolly good time also that you are keeping well. Please remember me to father and Fred.

Yours F Smith

Notes: The artist Agnes Richardson (1885-1951) studied at the Lambeth School of Art. She produced illustrations for children's books, greetings and postcards for many years. From 1912 she also designed posters for the London underground.

Postcard 54: 17th August 1917

Legend: He loves me not

To Miss Betty Parker, Ingledell, Totteridge

Dear Betty, very many thanks for your letter and so sorry the weather is so changeable how very early Dad gets up, I shall certainly have to tell Uncle. Lots of love from Auntie

Postcard 55: 28 January 1915

Legend: Army Service Corps - History and Traditions

To Master Reginald Cox-Newton, Lyndhurst, 20 Salisbury Drive, Sedgley Park, Prestwick, Manchester

Aldershot

Dear Reggie, I hope you are very well. This is a description of the Army Service Corps to which Uncle Jack belongs (Civil Staff).

If you will write a letter sometime I will reply to it and tell you what news will interest you. J...

Postcard 56:

Legend: Give Tommie his choice

And which would it be

A "Stripe" on his Arm

Or a "W.A.A.C." on his knee.

Note: The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was formed in 1917 as the number of men available for military service declined and it became clear that there were non-combat roles within the military that women could take on.

Postcard 57:

Legend: I'm lonely without a line from you.

Postcard 2/58

16th August 1918 Lanc.

Legend:

Our sergeant looks more like a Colonel,

Any weakness he has, aint 'intolonel'

When he whispers 'Eyes Right!'

Lor! He gives one a fright.

And his language is simply 'infolonel'.

Mr T Wilding

33 Rigby Street South

off new Hall Lane

Preston

Lancs

Cragdale Grange

Dear Tom,

I could not write to you any sooner as I did not leave Preston till Wednesday afternoon. Put two good days work in Monday and Tuesday. Hope you have had a good time at Camp. Also hope your Maggie has enjoyed herself. Yours to a cinder. Seeton.

Notes: This a cartoon by FG, Fred Gothard. At the beginning of his career he also worked as a bank clerk and remained in the banking industry throughout his life. he produced a series of postcard illustrations in 1916; he was conscripted in 1917 but continued drawing. Teasing aspects of the army was one of his specialities

Postcard 59

Legend: For Valour

Miss Aimsburg, c/o Mrs Schefeld

45 Keswick Road

Blackpool

August 11th 1916 Saturday

O.M.

Hope you are having better weather that we are.

Kind Regards

Mary

Notes: Joyce Averill was an artist who specialised in drawings of children in patriotic scenes. In this scene she seems to have depicted a child looking at the reverse of a Victoria Cross, the highest military award for bravery.

Postcard 60

Legend: Joined Up

Note: A E Kennedy was a prolific illustrator of children's books in the first half of the 20th century.

Postcard 61

Legend: Ships of the Fleet

23rd October 1914 Plymouth

S Barclay Perkins Esq

H.M. Office of Works

3 Central Bldgs

Westminster SW

3 Grand Parade

The Hoe

Plymouth

I expect you know the above address and position. P & D are not beautiful town by any means but the country around and Mkt Edgecombe seem very pretty. How are dists .6.7.+8. There are a few warships here they come and go the Benbow, Prince Geo and Euryalis amongst the present ones. Love to all at 3 C Bldgs.

G 23.10.14

Notes: At the beginning of WWI Britain had by far the largest navy of the warring nations. However, although a significant phase of modernisation has taken place under First Sea Lord Fisher with the introduction of the Dreadnought series of battleships in 1906, technology advanced rapidly and at the outbreak of war German capital ships, although fewer in number were often more advanced. The pictures on the postcard show some of the principle British ships that fought at the Battle of Jutland and were based at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys.

Postcard 65: 22 January 1919 (Military censor)

Legend: Bonn Bahnhof (Railway Station)

To Miss Cissue Storie, Albert House, Jedburgh, Scotland

From Daddy from Bonn.

Note: After the November 1918 Armistice Allied troops marched into Germany. It was only in March 1919 that an official British army of occupation was formed, the British Army on the Rhine.

Postcard 66: 8th October 1914

Legend (in French): Soldat Hindou, le Guerre 1914 - actualite mondiale, Lausanne

To Miss May ??, 19 Carlyle Square, Chelsea, London SW

Dear Mary, Many thanks for the news papers they did make us so much pleasure. Please send us some more if you can. Where are you? We still hope the best for the allies - as you see we are mostly interested in all of what concerns. We send you our best, yours ......

Note: Follow this link for information about the participation of the Indian Army 1914-18

Postcard 67: 22nd February 1913

Postcard 68: 22 December 1916 (Portsmouth)

To Master I Le Sautecq

7 Dunell Road

St Saviours, Jersey

Dear Teddie and Harold, Thank you very much for your pretty card. Mum will write soon. Lots of love from Willie and Phillie.

Postcard 69

Legend: The Germans make Sausages and we'll skin 'em.

Message: Dear Bettie

To wish you a very happy Christmas

From Grandpa

Notes: German sausage production in WWI was badly hit by the demand for the potential sausage casings to be used in the manufacture of airships - 'Zeppelins'. Each airship represented up to 33 million sausage casing. This in turn represented the product of the guts of 250,000 cows for each Zeppelin.

The collection of cow guts was highly organised in Germany. Each butcher was required to deliver the ones from the animals he killed. Agents exercised strict control in Austria, Poland and northern occupied France, where it was forbidden to make sausages.

The intestines were washed and stretched to produce a parchment-like material called "goldbeater's skin." Unlike other materials, such as rubberised materials, which the Germans investigated, only the processed intestines were able when overlaid and wetted to create a seal tight enough to contain hydrogen atoms.

In another strange twist, Konrad Adenauer, as mayor of Cologne in WWI, researched ways of replacing scarce commodities such as meat in the diet. As the British blockade of German imports began to bite, he experimented with vegetarian ingredients and finally hit upon soy as key. His sausage was dubbed the Friedenwurst or 'peace sausage.' However, Adenauer was unable to get a patent for the new food product because under German regulation, a sausage had to contain meat.

It fell to Britain to finally grant the soy sausage a patent on 26th June 1918.