Summary

Digital image of a postcard to Maie Bulluss from Harry Cousland, written during World War I. Maie was Harry's fiancee. The front of the postcard is a coloured photograph of soldiers on a road, one helping another light a cigarette.

Part of a collection of material relating to the World War I military service of Hans Harry Cousland. Harry was a 21-year-old labourer from Port Melbourne when he enlisted to serve in World War I in 1915. He was wounded on 26 August 1916, recovered and returned to the front. There he was promoted then wounded again on 14 January 1917, receiving a gunshot wound in his left forearm which severed his ulnar nerve and caused a compound fracture of his left radius. He was operated on but his wound healed incorrectly with on-going nerve damage, and he was left with 'total incapacity' of his arm. He returned to Australia on 31 December 1917 on the hospital ship Themistocles and discharged medically-unfit in August 1918. Harry and Maie married after the war and welcomed three sons. He passed away in 1966; she lived to 100, passing away in 1998.

Description of Content

Colourized photograph of three soldiers on muddy road, with trees and houses in the distance. They face each other as one lights a cigarette for another. The soldiers are wearing khaki uniforms, kits and helmets. Inscription below: '17. A "FAG" AFTER A FIGHT / OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED'.

Physical Description

Digital image of coloured postcard.

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