Death would feature on Great War postcards from early in the war.
French sentimental card showing soldiers mourning a dead colleague.
‘I had a comrade’. German soldiers do likewise as they leave the battlefield.
Among the sets of Daily Mail cards, a number of images of burials and cemeteries are to be found, such as these two examples (above & below),…
…and here, a private photograph of the grave of a British pilot has been turned into a postcard,…
…unfortunately without recording the flyer’s name on the back.
And real, violent, death, too, found its way onto postcards, although the German corpse in the picture above (note that the war is referred to as ‘War 1914-15-16’ – snappy, that – on this card) doesn’t even warrant a mention in the description,…
…unlike these British soldiers, killed during the first gas attacks in April 1915, and lying dead in an Ypres trench.
Interesting. One would think that even with the relatively poor quality of the photograph, something of the name on the aviators cross would be visible. I wonder if it was deliberately erased from the image? Perhaps in order to spare the family of the pilot.
Also interesting to note the apparent segregation of the cemetery in the ‘army Chaplin tends graves’ card. Some interesting grave markers in that photo too.
Ah, good point, perchance.
Most of these definitely not falling into the “romantic” category !
The description on the postcard with the unfortunate dead German soldier of the trench being “upset by the bombardment” is an understatement to say the least. Presumably a case of slightly odd translation from French to English on the dual description !
Oh, there’s plenty of similar translation-curiosities to be found, that’s for sure.
very cheery selection of cards, really can’t imagine any body wanting to receive or send one.
Perhaps the Padre one, as people at home would think their loved one had a decent burial. Also the German and French one.
Nick there are some interesting types of crosses on that website i mentioned, most unusual are the propellor ones.
If you fancy have a look at the one in Rossett Wrexham, North Wales, the stained glass windows are stunning and the sale fairly rare.
Thank you Margaret, I’ll take a look.
Just as a matter of interest, the original photograph for the postcard titled ‘Army Chaplain tending British graves’ has been identified as Carnoy Military cemetery, July 1916 IWM Item Q 4004.
Mate, I had no idea! Gosh! Carnoy is another cemetery that is very important to me:
https://thebignote.com/2016/07/01/the-8th-east-surreys-at-montauban-billie-nevill-carnoy-military-cemetery/
Thought you might like that, I would be interesting to take the card or photo and see how closely you could identify that spot. And yes, thats actually one of my favourite articles on here 😉
You’re too kind.
There is a dead mans penny embedded in a headstone next to my parents grave, when I looked it up turned out the man is buried at Carnoy, was fortunate to visit Carnoy a cpl of years ago and placed a cross on his grave doubt anyone had ever been to see him.
That’s a really wonderful thing you’ve done. If he’s looking down, he will have been very glad of your visit I’m sure
Couldn’t agree more.