Historical information

Sometimes called a sweetheart postcard, it was a way of sending thoughts to the troops overseas. The printing on the rear implies it was sent with a hamper to the troops overseas.
The text and poem on the front says : 'Like the boomerang may you quickly come back. / To wish you a Speedy, Safe and Sure Return.
This hamper is sent you with greetings sincere,
And the hope that its contents will bring you "good cheer";
While you're doing your bit, we are thinking of you
And we'll welcome you home when you've seen the job through,
In the meantime just send us a message to say
You've received this all right if you find it OK.'
Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. There was a large collection of postcards so he may have been collecting them as souvenirs.
J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920.

Significance

A record of correspondence with the troops in World War 1 and sending good wishes with a hamper. This type of experience would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1.

Physical description

Postcard with a boomerang stapled to the front, also the image of a kookaburra.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed on the back is' Postcard / Per Hamper Mail / From Griffiths Bros, Syd / To An Australian Hero / on Active Service ABROAD'