Historical information

Postcard from WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion while posted in France to his family at home.

Significance

Embroidered silk postcards were first made in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. The popularity of silk postcards peaked during the First World War 1914 - 1918.They were mostly embroidered by French women in their homes and then sent to the factories for cutting and mounting on cards. Many of the cards were illustrated with patriotic symbols, flags, slogans, or sentimental texts. During the First World War, many Allied officers and soldiers based in France sent silk embroidered postcards to their loved ones back home

Physical description

White rectangular postcard with embroidered scene depicting two brown sail boats and vase of pink flowers. Handwritten message on back.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: "To my Wife" (embroidered)
Back: "My dear Alice just a PC to let you know I'm still well I heard Joe is in Hospital with a sore throught I have not heard from you latly this is all at present all well and hope you are all the same / best love Will xxxxx"