headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Perhaps oddly, considering my irreligious tendencies, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Christmas ephemera. I remember many years ago finding a collection of photos relating to a civilian internee at Ruhleben, and was particularly struck by the Christmas cards - the repeatedly unfulfilled dream of freedom in each successive year gave them a particular poignancy. A sense of 'It'll all be over by Christmas' eventually giving way to wistful resignation. Originally I thought I'd post a thread about stylistic changes in Christmas cards between 1914 to 1918 (reflecting a gradually dwindling bullish optimism eventually giving way to relief that it was all over), but then as I rooted through my collection I began to realize that I probably didn't have the depth of material - or journalistic nous - to pull it off convincingly. Nevertheless, I found a few things that I thought might be of interest to people on the Forum, and will try to post them here (technical issues/phobias permitting). I've tried to arrange them in loosely chronological order. I particularly like material that has a very personal element to it. As a result, many of the items on this thread relate to specific named individuals, very few of whom I've researched in any great depth. If anyone wants to append any biographical detail then feel free to do so! Here's an original photo for starters: The officers and petty officers of HMS Forward on Christmas Day 1914 Edit: I'll post this on the Navy section of the forum to see if any experts here have any information on who they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Here's a makeshift Artist's Rifles Christmas card from 1914, printed in France and sent by one of their officers, Lieut. Gerald Howard FAIRTLOUGH..... The artist (initials 'M.G.') has included a small self-portrait in the lower right-hand corner - I wonder who he was? Note the caricatures of soldiers from the allied forces; French, British, Belgian and Russian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 This is a hand-made hand-drawn card which doesn't have an overt military connection, but clearly has a martial theme. The artist and sender is a certain Ridgway E Harrison, of 94 Rusholme Rd., Manchester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 This is typical of a style of personalized Christmas card produced by many commercial photographers during the pre-war and early war period. Mr. Tallis appears to be a member of the RHA, and I recall being able to find only one match in the MIC's..... Here's another example from James AFFLECK, of the RAMC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 On to 1915...... An example of an early postcard-format Christmas card, from 77 M.T. Coy, ASC, BEF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Another ASC card, this time photo-format, published in France. It's from Sgt. W.L. Bailey (seated, centre) 021752, MT No.1 Base, Rouen, written to his sister Edna at Walmersley House, nr. Bury, Lancs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Another personalized card, this time from Pte. Lloyd Collins, Gloucs Regt (TF) - note the shoulder titles. Taken when he was stationed in Chelmsford on 24 December 1915. Didn't anyone tell him to post early for Xmas....?! From chilly Essex to sweltering Egypt.... Scenes from 19th General Hospital, RAMC. This was sent from Alexandria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 No petty officers in that picture of HMS FORWARD's officers. Here is the list of officers from Navy List December 1914. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 No petty officers in that picture of HMS FORWARD's officers. Here is the list of officers from Navy List December 1914. hms forward dec 1914.jpg That was quick...! Thanks very much for this, Horatio! 16 names, but 17 men in the photo... Is the man bottom R front row an officer? Any idea of who might be who in this pic? (I'm rubbish with Naval rank and uniform). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Here's a classic patriotic style, which became increasingly familiar as the war went on - a Schwein-like German snowman melts under pressure from a cocksure Tommy. It's drawn by Arthur Frank Umfreville GREEN, who just happened to be QMG to XI Corps. Among his many skills he was a published author, including a book called 'Landscape Sketching for Military Purposes'. If you look at the background to this card you can see that he couldn't resist adding a landscape (usually cards like this rely solely on crude caricature). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Here a couple of 1914 Christmas Cards.WW1 Christmas Cards became more ornate and colourful as the war progressed. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Lovely cards. I have added this one from the 21st division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Here a couple of 1914 Christmas Cards. WW1 Christmas Cards became more ornate and colourful as the war progressed. Sepoy Lovely cards. I have added this one from the 21st division. Brilliant...! Keep 'em coming....! Here's one from the 14th London (London Scottish) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 POW's with time on their hands came up with some great designs. Here's one drawn by Cecil TOOKE of the RND, who was a POW in Doeberitz. He was clearly a very talented draghtsman. This isn't one of his best designs, but it includes a self-caricature on the R-hand side (sitting on the egg-timer), and it reflects the fatigue that many were feeling after over a year in captivity. It was sent by Spr. James Sturrock, 14022, RE, to his family in Perth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 8th division,with a surprise inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 The attached 1916 Royal Naval Division Christmas Card, closely followed by the 56th Division 1917 Christmas Card, are my favourites from my collection. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Talking of POW's, let's not forget the civilian internees at Ruhleben. Some of these cards are what sparked my interest in this subject. This one goes back to 1914 - it's a German commercial card sent from Ruhleben by Archie Barnett Saunders. Here's the front: And here's the reverse: You can see where the design is embossed onto the card..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 This is another from Xmas 1914 from Archie Barnett Saunders, on this occasion it's the official English-language card - it looks a bit like a condolence card, which I guess in some ways it was....! Obverse: Reverse: Incidentally, you can see that he posted on 22 Dec 1914 - I wonder when it arrived...?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Here's an odd one - I *think* it's a Wireless station. The style of building looks like the UK, although the fern fronds make me think New Zealand. Either way, it seems to refer to an 'Officer in Command', so I'm guessing that it has a military or quasi-military function. Anyone have any ideas...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Great cards gentlemen, I have picked up a few christmas cards over the years but prices seem to have risen sharply recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 Everything so far has focused on Europe, but let's not forget the other theatres. Here are 2 very plain and simple efforts from the Balkans.... Salonika: ....and Macedonia: I have to say that there's something that I really like about the simplicity of the Macedonian card! Oddly, it's sent to Miss Grace Hardman, of 50 Pool Bank St., Rhodes. Which doesn't sound much like a Greek address to me..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 By way of contrast, here is a home-made Christmas Card from the Anglo-Boer War. Forgive me for posting this but I love the sentiment. Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 By way of contrast, here is a home-made Christmas Card from the Anglo-Boer War. Forgive me for posting this but I love the sentiment. No forgiveness required - that is a fantastic piece of ephemera! Do you happen to know who it's from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 24 December , 2014 Share Posted 24 December , 2014 A few later war Christmas Cards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 24 December , 2014 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2014 On into 1916 - one more 'final push', perhaps....? Here's a card from 11/Div, reflecting their travels in the middle-east and France. The smoke from the fire appears to be conjouring up images of their various foes, from fez-wearing Turks to stern-faced Teutons. All watched over by a distinctly 'Old Bill'-styled character.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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