Summary

Embroidered postcard featuring the word 'France', with a French flag and posy flowers. It was written during World War I by soldier 'Harry' to 'Mary'. Harry writes that it 'has been very severe, in fact, too cold... The snow has just set in and everything is mud again. That scarf, Mary, has been doing overtime this weather, you remember that one you made over a year ago for me. I received a cake from you the day before we came up here to the trenches, and we didn't half enjoy it either.' Harry's references to a second winter suggest that the postcard was probably written early in the winter of 1916 or 1917 (Australian soldiers did not experience winter in the trenches in 1914).

Harry's surname is difficult to decipher, but it appears to be Shanahan, a name similar to that associated with the collection with which the card was received. The collection documents family members including Eileen Mary Shannahan of Corio, near Geelong, who married Private William Nairn (# 3217) before he left for overseas service in 1916, during World War I. Eileen Mary's mother-in-law was also named Mary, as was her young niece (too young to have been the recipient of this postcard).

Eileen's brother served in World War I, although his name was James Anthony Shannahan (# 2753). However, there was a Henry John Shanahan (spelt with one 'n') of Geelong (# 5334). He enlisted in July 1915, and the signature on his attestation paper matches that on this postcard. He served as a driver in the 2nd Division Signal Company, 8th Reinforcements. He was in France for the winters of 1916, 1917 and 1918 (with breaks for leave in England), finally leaving France in February 1919. He returned to Australia in May that year.

Physical Description

Postcard featuring a panel of coloured embroidery, set within an embossed white cardboard frame. The embroidery features the word 'France' with a French flag and posy of red, white and yellow flowers. The back of the postcard has a printed proforma, over-written by hand-writing in pencil, the upper half of which has faded to illegible. The postcard has stains throughout.

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