Postcards from the Front: 1914-1919

[KateJ]

Absolutely delighted to say that my new book "Postcards from the Front: 1914-1919" has been released today is available from places such as Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smiths etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1445635003/

This has been two years of painstaking research to the retell the stories of a handful of men and women, in their own words and pictures, through their postcards home to their loved ones.

There are many stories in my book, all derived from the postcard collections sent by men (and women) from all over Britain. My book includes the story of two VADs, Clara Woolnough and Gertrude Unwin, who nursed at Number 25 General Hospital in Hardelot (Pas des Calais), told through the eyes of Clara's postcards (along with the hospital's war diaries) during the Battles of the Somme. Exactly a year ago, I was very fortunate to have the help of the forum's Sue Light who helped me identify Clara on her postcards. (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=228054)

There is also the story of two brothers, Reg and Charles Pullen. Reg fought during the Battles of the Somme (and sent home postcards from places such as Albert) during his rest periods, and was ultimately injured during the first day of the Battle of Pilckem Ridge (part of the 3rd Battle of Ypres). His brother Charles, entered the Royal Flying Corp in 1917 and ended up being shot down during the Battle of Amiens. Both brothers stories are told through their postcards home, along with accounts from various war diaries. The forum's Gardenerbill helped me discover what had happened to Reg after he had recovered from his wounds (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196790)

My book also contains extensive appendices on how to research your own First World War postcards from your family, and how to discover your ancestor's war through their postcards home. For example, how to identify postmarks, censor marks, censor signatures, and how to use First World War postcards as historical documents to squeeze as much info as possible out of them.

There has been many people on the forum who has answered my numerous questions - thank you to anyone who has helped me.

Kate