In 1911, five years after the postcard was sent to Arthur,
he was living with his family in Southampton. He worked as a wood sawyer,
perhaps in the same business as his father, Thomas, who was a foreman in a
timber company.
Arthur served in the First World War. In his marriage records of 1918, his employment is given as Lance Corporal in the 179th Labour Company. His bride was Margaret Lester, from Westbury, Wiltshire – a nice coincidence with the image on the card, or something more?
Well, the
handwriting on the postcard matches that of Margaret’s in the marriage
register. Arthur’s parents were from the same area as Margaret and perhaps this
provides the connection between the two families. Twelve years would pass between
the postcard being sent and the couple marrying. This isn’t the only card I’ve
researched where the sender has been identified through their handwriting – often
confirming long-term relationships before the couple married.
