Summary

This postcard was written by Ethel Kemp to her father, Albert, whilst he was fighting in World War One. It features in Museums Victoria's Melbourne Story exhibition.

'Dear daddy I am waiting and watching day by day for you'

- Ethel Kemp

These words were written by young Ethel Kemp to her father, Albert, who was away fighting in World War One. She would never see him again.

Albert Kemp was a Caulfield butcher with a wife, Annie, and children, George and Ethel, when he enlisted in 1916. Just 21 days later he embarked for England, and after less than 12 weeks' training he was sent to the Western Front. He was dead within six months.

Amongst his belongings when he died were several postcards - very likely this postcard was one of them.

His family's loss was made worse when his belongings were mistakenly sent to the family of another Albert Kemp, who had also died.

Annie Kemp struggled financially for years to come to support her family, and was eventually evicted from her home.

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