Historical information

Silk postcard from France written by unknown WW1 soldier from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kittle/Kettle c/- Post Office Milawa.
WW1 service records reveal Charles James KETTLE 29741 was born in Milawa and enlisted on 15/4/1916 aged 39 years. He embarked on the 3/10/1916 and served in France prior to being diagnosed with a tumour and whilst being repatriated home died on 10/8/1917 and was buried at sea. Listed place of association was Wangaratta.

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

Rectangle cream cardboard postcard with embossed border containing coloured embroidered stitch work of a basket and in words “forget me not” on silk

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten inside - just a souvenir of your beloved France from one of the boys from Milawa addressed to Mrs G Kettle/Kittle Post Office Milawa via Wangaratta Victoria