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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

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Posted

A while ago I bought a handful of WW1 patriotic postcards from a junkshop in the Cotswolds. It was only later that I realised they were to and from the same family - the Horsch family from Boulogne. I've recently found them again while preparing to move, and thought I'd share them. I also only have a CSE French idea of what hey say, so a 'crowd translation' would be welcome.

There are no clues as to dates, not all are written upon, and I'm sure some aren't from the same batch. I've also done a little research on the revamped SGA website - a thing of beauty - and I'm fairly sure this story doesn't end happily...

Anyway, here they are - remembering....


and the reverse:

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Posted

1914

For Right

For Civilization

Glory to our eternal France

Glory to those who care for Her

Posted

My dear little Emile. I thank you for the beautiful card which you sent me. I am pleased to hear from your little mother's mouth that you are always very bright. I am sending you a nice card for your trouble. Give your mother a big kiss from me and your little aunt will give you another from me. A thousand kisses. E?

Best I can do

Nigel

Posted

Marvellous Nigel - thanks!! There are quite a few more but don't feel obliged!!


and the reverse...

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Posted

Not so easy. The writing is not easy to make out.

Nigel

Posted

I think the last paragraph is

A thousand kisses from a lover to his little woman who he loves

Nigel

Posted

The card is something like 'The height of fashion - for a soldier to kiss his wife on the forehead' With a pun on 'front'?

Posted

Card three is a little clearer...

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Posted

There is that which I .............. (something about a suitcase?).

Maybe hoping he could find her in his suitcase?

I'm willing to try more

Nigel

Posted

...and so is the writing...

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Posted

Have a good look at this graphic picture of a soldier.

I can read the next bit but can't make sense of it. Something along the lines of

They say it looks like me but it's not me. A thousand big kisses (bit of a theme here) from the one who loves you.

Nigel

Posted

Really grateful for your help Nigel! I thought something about a suitcase...

Posted

No writing

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Posted

Card # 5


...and the reverse...

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Posted

Simon

I'll get back to you. Stuck in bed at the moment.

Google may find the wording of Foch's versus order.

Nigel

Posted

No rush Nigel - I'll space them out a bit more!

Posted

Card 5

My dear Emile I am happy

to write you a few lines for the…

… that Pauline and Mama a good

and holy happy birthday, hoping that

it will be the year of deliverance…My dear Emile I am happy

to write you a few lines for the…

… that Pauline and Mama a good

and holy happy birthday, hoping that

it will be the year of deliverance…

I hope that you are maintaining your health despite rain? sometimes to the right then to the left the case of war. We are all well. God is good.

Posted

When I arrive, I expect my family will let you know I made it. ​​Nini will tells me that your little Emile wants to be continously with your uncle Charles ... this is a little .... Good health and good luck we will embrace. Long live Daddy! Long live France!

Posted

Card # 6

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Posted

...and the reverse...looks like different writing?

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Posted

Card # 7


# 7 reverse

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Posted

On reflection I think that the handwriting on card # 6 is Emile's wife - for some reason I think the man on the left is him - b.1891 = 24?

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

#7

I was at home gift
they do not give me
the certificate as he and I
asked they did merit as a
they cared what your born Sunday
and then they said my fault other
returned to the consultation I explain...

Posted

Breakfast in the Trenches

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