Summary

Black and white postcard featuring image of a gun in action during World War I. Written in 1917 on the Western Front during World War I by Pte Albert Edward Kemp to his son George. It is unclear if the postcard was ever sent - it may be one of several postcards which were amongst his possessions returned from the battlefields.

Albert writes: 'Dear George My wish is this will find you in best of health as it leave your daddy at present love for ever and ever. Yours, Daddy
Pte A.E. Kemp
[Regarding the image of the guns] These give fritz some hurry up don't you think.'

Albert Edward Kemp was a 32-year-old butcher living in Caulfield and married to Annie Josephine, when he enlisted. He and Annie had a daughter, Ethel Mavis, and a baby son, George Percival. Albert enlisted at Royal Park on 4 October 1916, and was assigned to the 22nd Reinforcements, 6th Battalion - regimental number 6800. His battalion left Melbourne 25 October 1916 - just 21 days after he enlisted. He was shipped to France on 27 March and was taken on strength on 4 April. On 21 September 1917, Albert died in the trenches in Glencorse Wood, Belgium. His body was never found. He is commemorated at 29 The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Physical Description

Black and white postcard featuring image of a gun in action during World War I. Two men are on the gun, as if in the act of loading it. Other men prepare ordnance to the left side; in the right foreground several men stand by, one in formal uniform watching the gun. The reverse of the card has printed information, and text hand-written in purple cursive script.

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