Summary

Postcard featuring a black and white photograph of the English village of Sutton Veny, sent by Private William (Bill) Nairn to his sister Sarah Jackson in 1917 or 1918. He has just walked along the road depicted in the photograph, noting that 'Everything looks well on paper but it is much different to see in reality'. He was killed in the trenches of France on 4 July 1918.

Physical Description

Postcard featuring a black and white photograph of a road through a cutting and under trees, with small buildings on the right. Figures appear on the road in the distance. The image is labelled 'SUTTON VENY', accompanied by a brief description. The back of the card has extensive faded hand-writing, over a printed postcard format.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Home & Community, Public Life & Institutions

  • Place & Date Written

    Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England, 1917-1918

  • Author

    Private William (Bill) J. Nairn - Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

  • Inscriptions

    Printed on front: 'SUTTON VENY / Sutton Veny is situated in the / midst of an interesting Country, the / neighbourhood abounding in / memories of ancient battles'. Printed on back: 'POST CARD / Photo. & Pub. by R. Wilkinson & Co., Trowbridge. / THE ADDRESS ONLY TO BE WRITTEN HERE / AFFIX / STAMP. / Printed in / England.' A stamp of four lines at the top left of the card is illegible. Hand-written on back: 'Dearest Sister / Just a card of a part of Sutton Veny Village / where our camp lives. Everything looks / well on paper but it is much different to see / in reality I might tell you Sarah. I have just come / back from a bit of a walk & came along that / road that you see showing on the card. Dear / Sarah this is as a little memo to put in your / album. I must close now with best love to / your Dear Self & Children. Remembrance to all / I remain ever your loving & Faithful Brother Bill / Write soon XXX'. Written at top: 'My / wife / has been / very / bad / but was / improving / last letter I / got Gold help / us to bear our / cross bravely / your ...[illeg]'.

  • Classification

    Military history, Service, Correspondence

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Keywords

    World War I, 1914-1918, Military Memorabilia, Death & Mourning, Correspondence