I recently pulled a fascinating piece from my collection: an old postcard featuring the dramatic scenery of Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight. This particular card, however, is less about the dramatic landscape and more about the small, charming details of an everyday life lived over a century ago.
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| Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight |
The Front: Blackgang Chine
The image on the front is a classic sepia-toned view of the famous chine (a steep-sided coastal gorge), long before it became the popular theme park it is today. It shows the raw, rugged beauty of the steep slopes and coastal erosion that defines this part of the island. It’s a snapshot of a wilder, less developed coastline.
The Message: A Glimpse of Wartime Life
The reverse side, penned in looping script, tells a wonderful story. While the stamp shows a George V Halfpenny, which dates the card to between 1912 and 1936, the content strongly hints at a specific, poignant moment in history: The Great War (WWI).
The message is addressed to a "Dear Mum" and signed with a partial "Love to all," likely from a son. The writer mentions:
"...I have been playing in the Band at a large Hospital... I had a lovely time. I have not seen Harry yet. We have been up to see him to night, running out was not in so he must wait till I have time to run up again."
The Context Clues
"Playing in the Band at a large Hospital": During WWI, military bands were often diverted from ceremonial duties to entertain wounded soldiers in convalescent hospitals. These performances were a vital part of morale-boosting and recovery. This suggests the writer was a serviceman, likely a bandsman, stationed near London.
"W Croydon, Surrey": The address (62A London Rd, W Croydon, Surrey) places the recipient, Mrs. Janner, just outside of London. London and the surrounding areas hosted numerous large military hospitals receiving casualties from the Western Front.
"Harry": This is likely a brother or friend who is also a serviceman or perhaps a wounded comrade the writer was hoping to visit during their leave, but missed due to the strict rules of "running out."
This isn't a message about a holiday, but a quick note sent during a period of duty, revealing the small challenges and simple pleasures—like playing music for the recovering—that existed amidst a major global conflict.
More Than a Scenic View
This postcard transcends being mere memorabilia of the Isle of Wight; it’s a tiny, tangible connection to the past, capturing the emotions and movements of a family during a time of great upheaval. It serves as a beautiful reminder that even in the toughest times, life was carried on through small acts of kindness, like playing a tune for the wounded, and simple expressions of love for "Dear Mum."
