Postcard from South Africa

item details

NamePostcard from South Africa

ProductionUnknown; photographer; Circa 1916; Cape Town
Edward Percy Heenan; author

Classificationphotographic postcards

Materialssilver, photographic gelatin, printing-out paper

Materials Summaryblack and white photographic postcard

Techniquesblack-and-white photography, printing-out

Registration NumberPS.003304

Credit lineGift of the McCredie family, 2012

Overview

This undated card was sent by Percy Heenan to Martha Cranstoun while he was en route to the Western Front. As Percy embarked in September 1916, it can be assumed that the card was written that year. The letter reads:

Dear Martha

Here we are again still at large here and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. I'm sending you some ostrich feathers & When I write I'll send directions how to treat them. Its the best present I could dig up & I think you will like them. I'm sending them in two parcels & I don't think you have any duty to pay. I want you to give one to Grace & the others are for yourself. There are 3 big ones and 3 joined together. Well lassie here's to you best love & merry xmas & happy new year, from Percy

The two soldiers in the photograph are either in Cape Town or Durban; Percy is the soldier on the left. Percy and Martha would marry after the end of WWI.

Percy refers to his sister, Grace, who is married to Martha's brother Alexander Cranstoun. In his military papers, Percy nominated Grace as his next-of-kin.