Description
Object description
Two albums containing photographic postcards, embroidered cards and printed postcards, mostly dating from the First World War, mostly sent home by Private John O'Neill of the 19th Australian Infantry Battalion. Included are a number of colourised sentimental souvenir cards sent home from France; a card bearing a photograph of the troopship HMT CERAMIC; scenes in Belgium and French cities, towns and villages, including war damage: Albert, Amiens, Arras, Arvillers, Bouchior, Boulogne, Brussels, Charleroi, Chaulne, Dranoutre, Foucaucourt-en-Santerre, Herleville, Rouen, St Leger-les-Domant, Le Treport, St Omer, Tilloloy, Walcourt, the Waterloo memorial and Ypres. There are also a number of photo-postcards depicting locations in and around Sydney, Australia: Government House, the Botanic Gardens, Captain Cook's statue, the General Post Office, the Soldier's Welcome hut in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral, Mosman's Bay in Sydney Harbour, the Lane Cove river. Also a small number of postcards from Cape Town
There are also three portrait and group photographs that include the same Australian soldier (probabaly John O'Neill).
Photo-postcards covering military funerals are also found in the collection as is one of a group of German soldiers.
Also of interest are a series of cartoon postcards titled: 'Sketches of Tommy's life up the line.' Another interesting card marks John O'Neill's completion of 1000 day's active service with his battalion. The collection also includes a Christmas card made in Egypt which has attached a blue handkerchief with camel rider and pyramid motif (sent from Nelson to his Mother).
Physical description
Two postcard card covered albums, one finished in blue cloth and the other in red. Both have the word 'Post-Cards' in gold lettering within a gold oval-shaped design. The cards are slip mounted in both albums. The cards are a combination of photo-postcards (a large number of which are coloured), silk embroidered cards and printed cards (mostly in colour). A number of the cards have handwritten annotations on the reverse. Tyhe Christmas card from Egypt is made from sand-coloured card with a palm tree and pyramid motif. The dedication paper sheet is held in place by green string. A blue handkerchief with camel rider and pyramid motif is slip mounted on the front of the card.