Postcard sent by George Henry Bramich, 3rd A.L.H., to Tasman Gatehouse, 27 November 1917
1917Postcard printed in Colombo and sent by Australian Light Horse Trooper, George Henry Bramich, while at sea en route from Melbourne to Suez on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth.
The postcard features a coloured coastal scene of a beach with lapping waves, fringed by tall palm trees, with the sun setting through clouds in the background.
The card was sent to a Mr. Tas Gatehouse of the Oldina Post Office in Wynyard, Tasmania - the same area where George Bramich was born and raised.
The message and address are written in pencil. There are several censor stamps on the card, including a large blue oval shaped mark from the Y.M.C.A. National Committee Australia, Army and Navy Department, two smaller circular marks - a purple stamp with a central crown, and a black 'Field Post Office' stamp dated 11 December 1917 - and a vertical purple stamp reading 'Passed by Censor' overlaid with a signature.
Details of the maker and the title of the card are printed in blue on the left side of the card.
George Henry Bramich was born in Wynyard Tasmania on 13 August 1895. He enlisted on 23 June 1916, having spent two years in the Light Horse Troop in Wynyard prior to this time. His service number was 3567 and his occupation was listed as farmer.
He then spent time at Claremont Camp in Tasmania prior to embarking from Melbourne with 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 31st Reinforcement on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 2 November 1917. He disembarked at Suez on 10 December 1917 and marched into Moascar camp (near Ismailia, Egypt) the same day. He served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He returned to Australia on board HT Orari which departed from Kantara on 15 May 1919.
George's portrait appears on the Oldina, Yolla, and Yolla Mount Hicks Pictorial Honour Rolls.
Tasman (or Tasmania) Downie Gatehouse was born in Ulverstone Tasmania on 28 March 1897. His father Percy (George) Gatehouse, was the dedicated mailman between Oldina and Wynyard for 25 years. The card is addressed to Mr. Tas. Gatehouse, Post Office Oldina, Wynyard.
The number and variety of censor stamps make this card unusual. It was written at sea between Melbourne and Suez on 27 November 1917 (25 days after his departure) and appears to have arrived in Tasmania on 11 December, the day after he disembarked.
Details
Details
On left hand side of card:
"27.11.17
Somewhere at sea
Dear Tas
Just a card to wish
you all a Merry Xmas
and Happy New Year. Am
quite well, and having
a real good trip. Will soon
be there now.
Your old cobber,
Geo
3567
31/3 L.H.
C Squadron abroad"
On right hand side of card:
"Mr. Tas Gatehouse
Oldina P.O.
Wynyard
Tasmania
Australia"
On left side of card:
"Copyright by Plâté Ltd., Colombo
Sunset fronm the coast"
Across top of card:
"Plâté's "ART" POST CARD"
(Photo from Virtual War Memorial Australia)
(Photo from Virtual War Memorial Australia)
(Photo from Virtual War Memorial Australia)
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