Historical information

A wartime letter written by Arthur Evans that was later mounted on card for display purposes. It was donated to Legacy in 1998.
The letter was written on the fabric of an aircraft wing. The letter was written by Arthur Stanley Evans while convalescing in Briston in 1917. He had been injured at Bullecourt, France with the 18th-16th AIF.
The letter says 'Dear Minnie, Just a line to say your nice long letter arrived yesterday and I am now waiting the money etc. Have run out of paper so am scrawling this on a piece of wing belonging to one of Fritz's tubes that I saw one of our chaps having a scrap with in the air over our lines one day. "Fritz LOST". Glad Betty liked her little gift. Will write you later. I am improving every day and expect to have leave shortly. Love to all, Arthur."
Not to let war time shortages of paper get in Arthur Evans way, he improvised and his letter to Minnie, it arrived intact. The fabric would be quite durable and light. A great memento to show family and friends.

Significance

Despite war time shortages a little ingenuity can overcome many difficulties.

Physical description

Backing, ply board. Letter and short story typed on white cardboard, cardboard fixed to ply backing. Original letter fixed to white cardboard. Lower left hand corner folded over showing the reverse side of the fabric. Original letter rectangular in shape. All of the above is surrounded by a brownish border.

Inscriptions & markings

The letter, the story and how the letter came to Legacy is printed in brown ink.
The original letter is hand written on a piece of wing fabric from a German aircraft shot down over Allied lines.