Historical information

These cards have been sent to Jim ( otherwise unidentified) by his cousin Will Harper from South Africa in 1917. William Thomas Harper from Byaduk, Victoria was with the 8th Battalion in World War One leaving Melbourne In February in 1917. He was killed in May 1918 at the age of 22 and was buried in Bailleul France.

Significance

These cards are are a poignant reminder of Private William Harper killed in World War One. He came from Byaduk in the Western District..

Physical description

.1 A postcard with a photograph in brown and green tonings of the Black Watch Pipers playing to the captors of Longueval On the back is pencil writing and black printing.
.2 A coloured postcard of a bay and settlement in South Africa . It has handwritten material on the back in ink.

Inscriptions & markings

.1 October/ 16/ 17 I'm not a smoker yet Jim but seeing these pretty cards thought I would send them on to you. I've seen some of these places myself. Merry Xmas Jim Your aff. cousin Will
.2 Cape Town Dear Jim just a few lines to let you know I'm having a good time looking around this sphere. Today me and a cobber went on top of Table Mountain looking for wild beasts but couldn't find any. We have been here a good few days now and get leave to go about . It's a great place this for scenery but not for food or nice girls, all black nearly. Yours sincerely Bill Harper