Home thoughts, from abroad – the ODFHS First World War postcards collection

During the first world war people at home were desperate for news of their family and friends, and those serving abroad were equally anxious to reassure them.  Censorship prohibited long messages, resulting in a huge boom for the postcard industry.  In 1917 it is estimated that the Royal Engineers Postal Division (REPS) dealt with around 12.5 million letters per week, with a vast number of these being postcards.

Photographic postcards with a sentimental theme, usually a service man looking wistfully into the distance as he thinks about his loved ones back home, were very popular and we have several unposted examples in the ODFHS collection.  

This collection of First World War postcards was donated to the ODFHS Library.  They were printed by Bamforth & Co. Ltd., Holmfirth (England) and New York, and are from a series called “Songs”.  Each card illustrates a popular song from the day with lyrics printed along-side it.  On the reverse is a unique series number.  Other than this, the design is the same and all cards are blank, and were never actually posted.  Some show signs of old sellotape marks, perhaps they were fixed into an album at some point?

Further examples of Bamforth postcards can be found at 

https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/postcards-from-the-first-world-war

ODFHS has purchased two further examples, this time sent from France by a husband to his wife in December 1915 and January 1916 addressed to Mrs. John Smith, Red Cat Lane, Burscough. 

Army Post Office dated 5 Dec 15.  Addressed to Mrs. John Smith, Red Cat Lane, Burscough, Nr. Ormskirk, Lancs. England. On Active Service

Message reads:  Dec. 4th /12/1915. “Dearest. Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope it finds you same.  I received a letter from you dated Nov. 30th/11/1915 and I am pleased to hear you are in good Health and mother is a bit better.  We are having horrible weather it has been raining for two days.  Please remember me to all at home from yours xxxx”

Army Post Office 8th January 1916. Addressed to Mrs. John Smith, Red Cat Lane, Burscough, Near Ormskirk, Lancashire.

Message reads: 7/1/1916. “Dearest. Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and in good Health and hope it finds you same.  We are having horrible weather. Remember me to all at home from your (George?) xx”